In what was once called the worst year for WA draft talent, Will Hayes will become the fifth WA product from last year’s draft to make his AFL debut after being picked to face North Melbourne this weekend.

Early last year, an unnamed ‘recruiting expert’ was quoted in the Herald Sun saying not a single West Australian will be legitimately drafted at the end of the year.

However, those fears have once again been proven as premature with Hayes set to become the 1198th Pies player on Saturday night against the Roos.

Taken at pick No.56 in last year’s draft the 19-year-old small forward has been a solid contributor at VFL level, averaging 10 disposals and a goal across his seven games.

Coach Craig McRae announced his debut in front of an ecstatic playing group on Thursday.

“Super excited to give the young guy a chance, you’ve been putting together a body of work to give you this opportunity and we look forward to that,” he said.

He was part of the Claremont colt side that won back-to-back premierships, with his draft moment going viral in an emotional video celebrating with family.

“It was quite a shock. I was getting a bit nervous at the end but when it happened, sat there in disbelief,” Hayes told The West Australian back in November.

“I’ve always been told I’m too small, my whole life,” he said.

“That made me get in the gym and put on weight. This year it didn’t happen as much, but it was still a bit of a factor.”

“I’ve stuck at it my whole life. I’ve wanted to be an AFL player since I was six, I’ve never gone away from that and it’s all worked out.”

Hayes is the fifth WA product from the 2024 AFL Draft to make his debut this season, following Cody Angove (GWS), Hamish Davis (West Coast), Bo Allan (West Coast) and Hugh Boxshall (St Kilda).

Luke Urquhart, who was taken by North Melbourne in the pick after Hayes, is also pushing for a senior call-up coming off his best game of the season with 22 disposals against Richmond’s VFL side last weekend.