Lewis Hayes has answered the call.
The 20-year-old will make his AFL debut against the Swans at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon, a prime opportunity arising for the key defender in his third season.
Hayes’ big moment is reward for consistent form across more than two years of notable development at VFL level, where he’s elevated into one of Essendon’s most consistent performers at the level.
Being told the news at the Club on Wednesday morning, Hayes couldn’t contain his excitement.
“Ben Jacobs pulled me aside and said ‘Brad (Scott) wants a word with you,’ and I was like, oh, here we go. I was obviously filled with excitement straight away,” Hayes said.
“I didn’t want to make a scene or anything. I went in pretty lowkey, a few of the boys started looking at me smiling and I just couldn’t not smile - it kind of erupted in there and the boys got around me, which was good.
“I’m very excited. (Just being) with the boys in the gym there was quite funny and I’m really looking forward to it.
“For me now, it’s just about playing with a bit of calmness and going into the game pretty relaxed. I’ll try and do that as best I can.”
Taken with pick No.25 in the 2022 National Draft, the 199cm talent has been a standout in over 40 VFL games for the Club, winning Essendon VFL’s Best First Year Player honours in 2023 and being named runner up in last season’s Best and Fairest.
An improved one-on-one player and a capable interceptor, Hayes’ rangy frame makes him a versatile option in the back half for the Bombers, also apt in distributing the ball from defence with his raking long kicking.
Hayes’ first taste of the big stage comes in a huge Saturday twilight clash when the Bombers take on Sydney from 4:15pm AEST.
