‘Heartbreaking’: Fears Saints rookie Jack Hayes’ season could be over after ‘brutal’ injury blow

There’s fears St Kilda recruit Jack Hayes’ season is over after he limped from Manuka Oval on Friday night, clutching at his left knee.

The mature-age recruit struggled to put weight on his leg after a seemingly innocuous moment with GWS opponent Nick Haynes late in the first term.

Haynes and Hayes came together as the ball came inside forward 50, but as the Saints forward tried to hold his ground, his left leg gave way.

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Hayes then tried to man the mark after the turnover, but gripped his leg instead before making his way from the ground.

“Very, very simply done, that does not look good,” commentator Brian Taylor said.

“Immediately clutching there. That will be examined.

“They do tend to feel loose. Does not look good about the way he’s trying to hold it there.”

The moment of heartbreak for St Kilda’s Jack Hayes.Source: FOX SPORTS

Commentator Daisy Pearce said it was tough to see the 26-year-old hobble from the field, as medics feared an ACL injury.

“You hate to see it, when he’s worked that hard for this opportunity to see him go down like that,” she said.

Commentator James Brayshaw said Hayes’ attempt to stand “looked horrible”, adding the mature age recruit had been a “really good addition” for the Saints in 2022.

Hayes was handed a Round 1 debut when big man Paddy Ryder missed the start of the season.

And he started his AFL career with a bang, kicking three goals from 18 disposals on debut against Collingwood.

He kicked five goals in just four games, and already had a goal from two disposals against GWS on Friday night before being subbed out.

The moment of heartbreak for St Kilda’s Jack Hayes.Source: FOX SPORTS

Hayes was signed by the Saints just 17 days before he made his debut, after impressing in the SANFL while working part-time as a concreter.

The 26-year-old joked he hung up on his manager when he got the call St Kilda wanted to offer him a deal, after eight years of being overlooked by AFL recruiters.