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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.

2021 Jack Oatey Medal Leaderboard

Player Club Votes
Jack Hayes Eagles 27
Riley Knight Eagles 11
Kobe Mutch Eagles 7
Jarrad Redden Eagles 4
James Tsitas Eagles 2
Jimmy Toumpas Eagles 1
Jack Firns Eagles 1
Daniel Menzel Eagles 1

Jack Oatey Medal Expert Voting

Expert 3 2 1
Matt Duldig - SANFL Jack Hayes Riley Knight Kobe Mutch
Zac Milbank - SANFL Media Jack Hayes Riley Knight Kobe Mutch
Wayne Weidemann - SANFL Digital Pass Jack Hayes James Tsitas Jimmy Toumpas
John Casey - Channel 7 Jack Hayes Jarrad Redden Jack Firns
Andrew Capel - The Advertiser Jack Hayes Riley Knight Daniel Menzel
Scott Camporeale - ABC Grandstand Jack Hayes Riley Knight Kobe Mutch
Mark Ross - SEN SA Jack Hayes Riley Knight Kobe Mutch
Jarrod Lienert - FIVEaa Jack Hayes Kobe Mutch Riley Knight
Andrew Jarman - Triple M Jack Hayes Jarrad Redden Kobe Mutch

Eagle Jack Hayes with his premiership medallion and Jack Oatey Medal. Picture – Scott Starkey