LENNY Hayes heard the announcement come over the Etihad Stadium PA system at quarter-time on Sunday. While Scott Watters spoke to the team, Saints fans applauded to the news that the 34-year-old would play on in 2014.
“I did hear the announcement and it gave me a bit of a lift,” Hayes told SAINTS.com.au post-game. “I get a bit embarrassed about stuff like that, it was good. I didn’t want to make a big deal of it in the end.”
RECAP: Lenny to play on
Hayes has struggled with soft tissue injuries this year, primarily related to his troublesome calf. Given his interrupted pre-season due to a heart operation, he is confident that he can be a strong contributor in St Kilda’s young team after a solid summer on the track.
“[The decision to play on] wasn’t something that came too lightly,” he said. “It’s been a tough year for me personally just with the injuries and things but it is a really good young group and I’m really wrapped to be sticking around for another year and hopefully play in a few more wins like today.”
Sunday’s 46-point victory over Gold Coast was the first win Hayes has played in since round three. He collected 22 disposals after missing the Saints’ trip to Sydney last weekend with soreness.
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“I think we’ve been working towards the win for the last month,” he said. “We’ve played some really good sides and had some really good quarters but we haven’t been quite able to finish it off… so great to get the win.”
Hayes decision to play on coincided with the retirements of Stephen Milne, Justin Koschitzke and Jason Blake – three stalwarts of the club. Typically, Hayes was keen to deflect the attention away from himself towards his long-time friends and teammates ahead of this Saturday’s clash with Fremantle.
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“It’s great to be going on but also respecting that there are a few guys who might not be going on next year. I think this week is going to be all about them.”
You can follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32
