Hugh’s roller-coaster ride to 100 SANFL games

By ZAC MILBANK

Adelaide midfielder Hugh Haysman is the first to admit his journey to 100 Hostplus SANFL League games certainly hasn’t been a smooth one.

But the 27-year-old wouldn’t have it any other way as he prepares to face North Adelaide at Prospect Oval on Saturday.

Rising through the junior ranks at West Adelaide, Haysman played in the Bloods’ 2014 U18 premiership before tasting the ultimate in the club’s drought-breaking League flag 12 months later.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, Haysman said he learned plenty from the likes of Chris Schmidt, Jason Porplyzia and Travis Tuck in terms of preparation and performance on a consistent basis.

Overlooked for the AFL Draft later that year, the skilled wingman continued on with the Bloods to feature in 78 League matches before choosing to play with his brother at St Peter’s Old Collegians in 2022.

Conversations took place between Haysman and his U18 premiership coach Jarrod Meers, who is now working with Adelaide as its SANFL and Academies Manager.

It resulted in Haysman returning to the SANFL scene with the Crows, where he a valued member of the club’s State League side, assisting with the nurturing of young talent while providing an experienced head in the heat of battle.

Now with 21 SANFL games under his belt with Adelaide, Haysman is loving the balance it provides as he pursues his profession in the finance industry with Duxton Asset Management.