“I LOVE the place.”

October was a stressful time, one that now seems like an absolute world away for Will Hayward.

With February on the horizon, Hayward is on the cusp of pulling on the Navy Blue guernsey as a Carlton player for the first time… something which, had the cards fallen a little differently, could’ve been the case 12 months ago.

But now settled in Melbourne and bringing a new energy inside the four walls of IKON Park, Hayward can’t wait for that opportunity, having been ‘blown away’ by his first months at Carlton.

The events of last year’s trade period have been oft-told, but for Hayward, he has fit like a glove after an off-season of change for both himself and his new club.

“I was always drawn to Carlton, if I was to play anywhere else. I told them [Carlton's list management team] that.

“If I was put up for trade anywhere else, I would’ve said absolutely not. Luckily I landed here - everything happens for a reason. I’m settled in and I love the place.

“I can’t wait to get out there and get into the fun stuff.”

While the ‘fun stuff’ is around the corner in terms of games, Hayward has relished the chance to get to know not only his new teammates in training, but also immerse himself in the Carlton way of life amongst the passionate supporter base.

His first interaction with a Blues fan - before even settling in Melbourne - said it all.

“My fiancé Vic and I were driving down from Sydney, car full. I got pulled over by a cop and breath-tested - obviously I was fine! - and then he just goes ‘welcome to Carlton, mate’. The cop!

“That was the first interaction, with a police officer. I was thinking that I’m barely in Melbourne, but I certainly felt the love very early.

“I got informed about the fans here, but it wasn’t real until that first open training session… the fanbase has embraced me, hopefully I can do them proud with what we do on the field.”

He may have felt the love from the day he became a Blue, but that wasn’t exactly the case on 2023 elimination final night, which was the most recent time the Swans played the Blues in Melbourne.

Safe to say, he’s keen to be on the other side of that equation going forward.

“I’ve never felt an away crowd intimidate a team like they did to us, that was crazy. When I got traded, I remember saying to Ollie ‘remember that time we played them, and that crowd?’. I almost felt like the stadium was going to fall over.”