Jack Hayes wins 2021 Jack Oatey Medal

By ZAC MILBANK

Woodville-West Torrens superstar Jack Hayes streaked to victory in winning the Jack Oatey Medal, polling 27 of a possible 27 votes in an outstanding individual display.

And his stunning performance became even more admirable considering he was playing with a suspected fracture in his lower leg, after a training mishap on Wednesday night.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 25-year-old revealed teammate Clay Cameron accidentally fell on his tibia, ensuring he would only be able to run one lap of the centre square at Saturday’s captain’s run.

The most dominant figure in the Statewide Super League, Hayes put his imprint on his side claiming back-to-back premierships for the first time with his influential play in attack and around the ground.

The 2021 West End State captain finished with an imposing stats sheet of 26 disposals, nine marks, seven clearances and three tackles while also hitting the scoreboard with 1.2.

Hayes added he isn’t concerned whether he receives an AFL call up as a mature-age recruit, instead declaring his Eagles were in a good place to aim at a three-peat of premierships in 2022.