NSW player Hayes wins Norm Smith
ST KILDA’S Lenny Hayes won the Norm Smith Medal for his best-on-ground performance in Saturday’s drawn grand final against Collingwood.
The New South Welshman was the Saints’ most influential player with his 32-possession game and led from the front all afternoon.
He won the medal with 13 votes from teammate Brendon Goddard, who polled seven votes from the judging panel.
Collingwood’s Dale Thomas was third with six votes.
Hayes had 11 touches in the nail-biting final quarter alone and racked up 12 tackles, five inside 50s and five clearances for the game.
He was pitted against former teammate Luke Ball, who had 13 touches and wasn’t as influential.
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon, who was numb after the drawn result, wouldn’t be drawn into a detailed assessment of Hayes’ game.
“It was clearly pretty good. Maybe the selectors got it right. I don’t know,” he said.
“Everyone’s got a different view of Lenny, but he’s certainly valued by us and a great leader. But you know what? He needs to do it again.”
Players from both sides were united in their exhaustion and disbelief of the result at the final siren, which will see a grand final replay for just the third time in VFL/AFL history.
Voting for the Norm Smith Medal
Brad Scott (North Melbourne FC, chairman) – Brendon Goddard (St Kilda), Dale Thomas (Collingwood), Lenny Hayes (St Kilda).
Matthew Lloyd (SEN 1116) – Lenny Hayes (St Kilda), Brendon Goddard (St Kilda), Dale Thomas (Collingwood).
Chris Grant (ABC) – Lenny Hayes (St Kilda), Nick Maxwell (Collingwood), Brendon Goddard (St Kilda).
Michael Gleeson (The Age) – Lenny Hayes (St Kilda), Dale Thomas (Collingwood), Brendon Goddard (St Kilda).
Steve Rielly (The Australian) – Lenny Hayes (St Kilda), Sam Fisher (St Kilda), Dale Thomas (Collingwood).
Totals
13 – Lenny Hayes, St Kilda
7 – Brendon Goddard, St Kilda
6 – Dale Thomas, Collingwood
2 – Sam Fisher, St Kilda
2 – Nick Maxwell, Collingwood