THERE WAS one last 3:20am wake-up for Will Hayes on Thursday morning, but he was resounding in his response about how his work will go at the Flemington Racecourse.

“The resignation was immediate!”

The Hayes family is a well-known one in racing circles, but it was the football world that was talking about Will when he got his second chance last night.

It was a sense of deja vu for the midfielder, who was once again elevated from Carlton’s VFL list to AFL rookie after undergoing the same journey at the Western Bulldogs.

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Speaking on RSN Breakfast Club this morning, Hayes’ gratitude and excitement was evident in each of his answers about getting back onto an AFL list.

Realistic about his chances leading into the draft, he said the decision to get back to the track this morning was simply a matter of too much enthusiasm resulting in a lack of sleep.

“You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face and sleep didn’t come too easy last night, I was a bit excited,” Hayes said.

“So I rolled out of bed and helped out in the morning: I’m watching a few roll around as we speak!

“I’m under no illusions that I was in a very fortunate position either way the coin fell, whether I got drafted back into the AFL or not… I definitely saw myself as one of the lucky ones.

"I was very realistic that I was a rough chance at best. We love when roughies get up!"

- Will Hayes

Hayes was regarded as one of the more surprising selections by external pundits on Wednesday night, but those who are familiar with his output over his last few months for the Carlton Reserves meant there was no hesitation from anyone inside IKON Park when it came to calling his name out.

Targeted for what he can produce on the wing at the elite level, Hayes has played a number of roles for the VFL Blues and performed with aplomb, averaging 33 disposals and a goal a game to be Carlton’s standout VFL-listed player so far this season.

It hasn’t been easy going for Hayes, who would combine that early wake-up call with VFL training at night in the midst of 13 consecutive working days — that was all done to keep his AFL dream alive.

Come the 2022 NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft, that dream was made a reality.

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“It’s definitely been tough in a way,” he conceded.

“I have so much respect for what participants go through, to look after the horses at such a high standard and to produce and put out the performances they do on the weekend.

“The alarm goes off at 3:20am every morning: it wasn’t easy. They were 13 days on and one day off.

“I’ve been pretty flat stick. I’ve spent most of it chasing sleep to be honest.”

Hayes’ form at VFL level belied his tiresome schedule away from the football field, constantly producing quality performances for Daniel O’Keefe’s side in the VFL.

It’s a program which has yielded two selections in the mid-season draft for the Blues in as many years, and one which Hayes was eternally grateful for.

“The VFL program at Carlton under Dan O’Keefe and Luke Power, as well as the coaches and fitness staff, is such an incredible program,” he said.

“There’s no doubt that I wouldn’t have got this opportunity if it wasn’t for how good they’ve been.

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“[The recruiters] were very happy with my output in the VFL and encouraged by my ability to get from contest to contest. I imagine I’ll be helping out in whatever way I can.”

Hayes’ mindset might best be summed up by the following.

“To be honest, if they say ‘jump’ I’m going to ask ‘how high?’

“I can’t wait for whatever opportunity comes my way and I’ll take it with both hands.”