Australia's best network.
If the cards fell a different way, Will Hayward could’ve been representing the Navy Blue guernsey a little bit sooner than the 2026 season.
Carlton made no secret of its willingness to pursue Hayward as a free agent, who re-signed with Sydney in 2024 only to cross to the Blues a little over 12 months later.
An extrovert in the forward line, Hayward fit in at Carlton alongside Ollie Florent from the very first moment, where he also reunited with former Swans teammates Nic Newman and George Hewett at IKON Park.
A highly respected forward who can either hit the scoreboard himself or bring his teammates into the game, Hayward was one of a number of Blues who gave the team a completely new dynamic forward of the ball in 2026.
If the cards fell a different way, Will Hayward could’ve been representing the Navy Blue guernsey a little bit sooner than the 2026 season.
Carlton made no secret of its willingness to pursue Hayward as a free agent, who re-signed with Sydney in 2024 only to cross to the Blues a little over 12 months later.
An extrovert in the forward line, Hayward fit in at Carlton alongside Ollie Florent from the very first moment, where he also reunited with former Swans teammates Nic Newman and George Hewett at IKON Park.
A highly respected forward who can either hit the scoreboard himself or bring his teammates into the game, Hayward was one of a number of Blues who gave the team a completely new dynamic forward of the ball in 2026.
| Season Season | Club |
PI
|
K
|
H
|
D
|
M
|
HO
|
FF
|
FA
|
T
|
G
|
B
|
AF
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Loading Stats
|
||||||||||||||
What forwards coach Josh Fraser had to say following Carlton's practice match against Brisbane.
Will Hayward joined the Summer Sessions podcast to chat about his first pre-season in Navy Blue.
Carlton Football Club acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which IKON Park is located, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. The Club also acknowledges and pays its respects to their Elders past and present and the Traditional Owners of the many lands on which we play our great game.
Up Next