St Kilda tall Jack Hayes is reportedly facing an uncertain future at Moorabbin, with rival clubs in Victoria said to be expressing an interest in the South Australian as he nears the end of his contract with the Saints.
Hayes is one of more than 20 players at the club still without a deal for next year as the Saints potentially face an off-season of mass change to their on-field personnel, with senior figures Dougal Howard, Tim Membrey, Josh Battle, Zak Jones and Seb Ross among those still unsigned.
Ross Lyon's key position stocks are home to a handful of players needing to settle their future over the coming month, with list calls to be made as early as next week.
Hayes, in his third season with St Kilda, has struggled to get a consistent run on the field due to continued setbacks - none bigger than an ACL injury that curtailed an exciting debut campaign in 2022.
The 27-year-old, who joined the club as a mature-aged recruit after a premiership-winning season with SANFL side Woodville-West Torrens, has played just three AFL games since his maiden season in the system.
The situation is said to have Hayes facing a likely exit from St Kilda this year, per 9 News Adelaide,ย who report clubs in Melbourne could hand the ruck-forward hybrid a lifeline in the top flight.
"One to watch is Jack Hayes at the Saints, the former Woodville-West Torrens big man," 9 News Adelaide'sย Braden Ingram reported on Monday.
"I understand the Saints aren't going to offer him a new contract. There's some rival clubs circling in Melbourne trying to get his services."
Hayes was quick to make headlines in his first year in the red, white and black, booting three goals on debut against Collingwood after making the switch to Victoria.
The 2021 Jack Oatey Medal winner had six goals to his name from his first five games, with a year-long stint on the sidelines to follow due to his ACL setback.
Further knee and foot issues have kept Hayes to limited action over the past three seasons, with Hayes also managing just the 10 games for Sandringham in the VFL also.
Clubs keen to add to their ruck and forward stocks could position themselves as a landing spot for the 194cm talent, who will be 29 years of age to start next season.
Should Hayes be delisted by the Saints this off-season, he could earn a lifeline as a delisted free agent, as a National or Rookie Draft selection, or as a Supplemental Selection Period acquisition - the same window used by St Kilda to recruit the SANFL star.
