Jonathan Hay
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Hay is a former Australian rules football
er 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
.
made the Preliminary Final.
.
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.
. He relapsed in 2006 on the back of his off-field behaviour and poor form.
After disputes over his contract during the 2007 pre-season, 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). Hay also spoke of a stalker
who harassed him on a regular basis for several years.
In October 2008 he announced his intention to make a football comeback in 2009 after signing with suburban club Langwarrin, but a snapped achilles tendon during a training drill in March 2009 forced him to miss the season.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL).
Born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Kalgoorlie, known as Kalgoorlie-Boulder, is a town in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia, and is located east-northeast of state capital Perth at the end of the Great Eastern Highway...
, Hay began his football career at Kalgoorlie Catholic Primary School and John Paul College before moving to Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
in 1991. Hay played reserves football for East Fremantle Football Club
East Fremantle Football Club
The East Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed the Sharks, is an Australian rules football club playing in the West Australian Football League . The team's home ground is East Fremantle Oval...
in 1996 before being drafted by Hawthorn Football Club
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
at the 1996 national AFL draft
1996 AFL Draft
The 1996 AFL Draft was held at the conclusion of the 1996 Australian Football League season.The AFL Draft is the annual draft of new unsigned players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.Clubs receive picks based...
.
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 HawksHawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
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 MelbourneNorth Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
.
North Melbourne career
The KangaroosNorth Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
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
Turnover (football)
In American football, a turnover occurs when the team with the ball loses possession of the ball, which is then gained by the other team. The two events that are officially classified as "turnovers" are fumbles or interceptions In American football, a turnover occurs when the team with the ball...
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
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
affiliate Tasmania
Tasmanian Devils Football Club
Tasmania Football Club, nicknamed The Devils, was an Australian rules football club which competed in the Victorian Football League in Australia. Formed in 2001, it was the youngest and the only non-Victorian club in the league. The club was based in the state of Tasmania at Bellerive Oval and was...
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 disorderBipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
. He relapsed in 2006 on the back of his off-field behaviour and poor form.
After disputes over his contract during the 2007 pre-season, 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
The AFL Footy Show
The Footy Show is a Logie Award winning Australian sports television program, shown on the Nine Network and its affiliates.This show, which is dedicated to the AFL and Australian rules football, made its debut on 24 March 1994 at the same time as the other version which relates to the NRL and rugby...
. 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
Ben Cousins
Benjamin Luke "Ben" Cousins is a former Australian rules footballer, best known for his 270-game career with and in the Australian Football League ....
' trip to drug rehab). Hay also spoke of a stalker
Stalking
Stalking is a term commonly used to refer to unwanted and obsessive attention by an individual or group to another person. Stalking behaviors are related to harassment and intimidation and may include following the victim in person and/or monitoring them via the internet...
who harassed him on a regular basis for several years.
In October 2008 he announced his intention to make a football comeback in 2009 after signing with suburban club Langwarrin, but a snapped achilles tendon during a training drill in March 2009 forced him to miss the season.