Season by Season

One of the competitions finest inside midfielders and a champion of the St Kilda Football Club, Hayes was selected with pick 11 in the 1998 AFL National Draft.

A captain of the club, a Norm Smith Medallist (in the 2010 drawn Grand Final) and a three-time All-Australian, Hayes career is as decorated as any St Kilda player.

2012 was an incredible year for the ageless centreman, winning his third best and fairest after returning from what many believed would be a career-ending knee reconstruction in 2011. In addition to the knee setback, Hayes was diagnosed in the 2012 pre-season with a rare heart condition that has been operated on in the summer.

He led the Saints in tackles, hard-ball gets and handballs, and was second to Leigh Montagna for inside 50s. The stats don’t tell the full story however, as Hayes assumed the responsibility of mentoring the entire playing group in 2013, further justifying just how highly regarded he is within the club.

The veteran has played the sixth most games for St Kilda, and should he stay fit could be as high as third on this list by the end of 2013.

Lenny Hayes is renowned as one of the competitions best inside midfielders and has been a champion of the St Kilda Football Club in his decorated 13 years.

In addition to his great skills and impact, Hayes boasts fantastic leadership skills and during the 2012 season will hold a Leadership mentoring role for the entire playing group.

Hayes grew up in suburban Sydney and in 1998, was a standout player for NSW/ACT in the representative TAC Cup.

Selected by St Kilda with the first pick in the 1998 AFL Draft, Hayes made his debut the following year, earning an AFL Rising Star nomination in the final round of the season.

He is a two time best and fairest winner, and was awarded the Norm Smith medal at the conclusion of the drawn Grand Final with Collingwood in 2010.

In 2011, the 32-year-old suffered a season ending knee injury in Round 2 and underwent a second knee reconstruction since beginning his AFL career.