Jonathan Hay (footballer)

Jonathan Hay (born 13 August 1979) is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Hay began his football career at Kalgoorlie Catholic Primary School and John Paul College before moving to Perth in 1991. Hay played reserves football for East Fremantle Football Club in 1996 before being drafted by Hawthorn Football Club at the 1996 national AFL draft.

Hawthorn career

Hay made his debut on a wing in 1997 and was considered a bright young defender with Hawthorn.

All-Australian peak

In 2001, he earned All-Australian selection and was slim, quick and continually kept full-forwards to low scores in a year where the Hawks made the Preliminary Final.

Later Hawthorn career

In 2004, an injury interrupted Hay's season, but he showed some signs of improvement in 2005. He then left the club at the end of the season and was traded to North Melbourne.

North Melbourne career

The Kangaroos gave up one first-round pick for the then-26-year-old Hay. Hay debuted with the Kangaroos in 2006 and made several simple skill errors, with many commentators bemoaning his constant turnovers to the opposition and his poor disposal in defence.

This led to Hay being dropped from the side and playing with North's then VFL affiliate Tasmania on 10 June 2006.

Bipolar battle

Hay's fall from grace as a footballer led to the announcement on 28 August 2006 that he suffered from bipolar disorder. He relapsed in 2006 on the back of his off-field behaviour and poor form.^[1]

After disputes over his contract during the 2007 pre-season,^[2] it was announced on the day of the Kangaroos' first NAB Cup game that Hay would be retiring from the AFL. His contract was paid out in full, despite his acknowledged problems with drugs and alcohol.

On 29 March 2007, an interview by Craig Hutchison with Hay was aired on The Footy Show. Hay said during the interview he wanted the chance to tell Kangaroos supporters and the football public in general the reason for his sub-standard form, which he cited as not only his bipolar disorder, but his heavy reliance on prescription medication to treat the disorder. In news reports of the interview, however, the media focused more on Hay's admission of drug use and the suggestion that use was rife in the AFL (in lieu of the then-major story of Ben Cousins' trip to drug rehab).^[3] Hay also spoke of a stalker who harassed him on a regular basis for several years.^[4]

In October 2008 he announced his intention to make a football comeback in 2009 after signing with suburban club Langwarrin,^[5] but a snapped Achilles tendon during a training drill in March 2009 forced him to miss the season.

References

• Harvey, N. "Humble start to footy career", Kalgoorlie Miner, 1 March 2007, p 25.

External links

• Jonathan Hay's statistics from AFL Tables

Australian squad – 2001 International Rules Series Captain: Voss Black Bowden Bradley Caracella Chick Francou Gaspar Goodes Goodwin Hardwick Harvey Hay Johnson King M. Lappin N. Lappin Lloyd Maxfield McLeod Nicks Ottens Ramanauskas Smith Stevens Tredrea White Coach: Lyon