BY ALL reports, Will Hayward hasn’t really changed all that much.

He may have moved clubs at the end of last year, and he may be on the eve of his 200th AFL game, but according to George Hewett, Will Hayward is still the same Will Hayward who walked into the doors of Sydney a decade ago.

One thing that certainly hasn’t wavered one bit is Hayward’s love of the game. No matter what’s taken place in his double century to this point, it’s clear to see that whenever Hayward takes to the field, there’s an infectious energy that presents in everything he does.

On the eve of his milestone game, Hayward believes that comes back to a long-standing love of the game.

“I’ve always loved footy, and I still do. I just love the game, I love celebrating my teammates - I’m a super passionate person,” Hayward said.

“It’s hard not to be up and about when you do what we do. The young boys give me energy, I feed off everyone. I do come home pretty tired, though - my fiancé Vic appreciates that I give a lot of energy to the team, and sometimes I just need to put my hoofs up when I get home.

“It’s the environment I love: being around the footy club, being around the playing group. It’s a good place to be.”

That enthusiasm endeared him to the Swans supporter base for a long time, and he very quickly left an impression on the Navy Blue faithful upon his arrival at the Club at the end of last year.

Arriving alongside best mate Ollie Florent, who reached his 200th game seven days before Hayward, the Blues’ No.19 is grateful that his 200th AFL game is coming in Navy Blue, at a club where he “feels like I’ve been here much longer than I actually have”.

“It didn’t take me long to fall in love with the place.”

The only regret that Hayward holds is that a one-week suspension against North Melbourne earlier in the year cost himself the chance to share his milestone with Florent.

“I would’ve loved nothing more than to share it with him, but I was stupid enough to get myself suspended. I was maybe secretly hoping he might’ve missed a week somewhere in between, but Ollie does’t miss. To share our career together has been a highlight.

“I get to share my 200th with ‘Walshy’ [150 games] and [debutant] Flynn instead - it’s a celebration for everyone.”

Last week was a celebration for Florent, with Hayward hosting the pre-game presentation, throwing to a video package with messages from the likes of Jim Courier, Pat Rafter and John Fitzgerald - close mates of Florent’s late father, Andrew.

Downplaying his role in last week’s festivities (“I was just the middle man”), Hayward nonetheless used this public forum to request video messages from the three individuals who inspired him to become the player he is today.

“I’m expecting a message from LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Matthew Cottrell. Just those three.”

And then, there’s family.

Hayward believes he wouldn’t be the player he is today without the impact of his brother, Harry - mainly because Harry has been convincing Will of that reality for years. When Hayward runs out onto the MCG for his 200th game, it’ll be a mark of not only the man, but the family that helped get him there.

“My brother is a really big one. He’s always said I wouldn’t be an AFL player without him, because we grew up beating the **** out of each other in the backyard. He probably made me a competitive person and has always been so loyal - he’d drive out to western Sydney by himself in the rain to watch me play twos.

“My fiancé Vic has been amazing, she gets the mood swings when I play rubbish and the best part of me when we’re going well. My family as well - Mum, Dad and my sister Alice.”