Roger Hayden
Encyclopedia
Roger Hayden is a former Australian rules football
er. He played as a back pocket
for the Fremantle Football Club
after beginning his senior football career with South Fremantle Football Club
in the West Australian Football League
(WAFL).
in the 2000 Rookie Draft. He spent the entire 2001 season on the rookie list and played for South Fremantle, mainly as a midfielder.
When full back Anthony Jones
tore his pectoral muscle, Hayden was elevated off the rookie list. He made his AFL
debut in round 15, 2002 against the Kangaroos in Canberra
at Manuka Oval
. In his second game, a Western Derby
, he was challenged to play well on Phil Matera, or else it would be his last game for Fremantle. Hayden performed brilliantly (in just his second game as a defender), restricting Matera to a single goal. He would play three more games in 2002 before a hamstring injury forced him out of the team. He had shown enough, however, to be elevated permanently off the rookie list onto the senior playing list.
Hayden cemented his place amongst the so called No Name defence alongside Robert Haddrill
, Dion Woods
, Antoni Grover
and Shane Parker
of 2003 that helped Fremantle to reach their first ever finals appearance. He played in 21 of the 23 games and finished equal 9th in the Doig Medal
best and fairest award. In round 4, 2003, Hayden was one of the seven indigenous players to represent Fremantle, the most ever to play in a single AFL team. The other indigenous players for Fremantle that day were Troy Cook
, Jeff Farmer
, Antoni Grover
, Des Headland
, Steven Koops
and Dion Woods
.
Hayden continued his good form into 2004, but broke his leg in the round 21 Western Derby. A long and arduous rehabilitation program meant that he was unavailable for the start of the 2005 season and another hamstring injury in a WAFL game meant he was unable to break back into the Fremantle side. He was, however, able to play for South Fremantle in their 2005 Premiership side. After returning to the Fremantle lineup in Round 2 of 2006, he only managed to remain in the team for three games being dropped after a poor game against Adelaide in Round 4. After consistent performances in the WAFL for South Fremantle he returned to the AFL for the remainder of the 2006 season.
The 2007 AFL Season was undoubtedly Roger Hayden's best, playing in all 22 games and was named among the final 40 for selection in the 2007 All-Australian team
.
On the 31st of August, 2011, Roger Hayden announced his retirement at the age of 30, owing to a long-term foot injury.
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. He played as a back pocket
Back pocket
In Australian rules football, the back pocket refers to a position on the field deep in defence.Back pocket players, situated in the backline, need to have good spoiling skills and usually, quality back-pockets are noted for their hardness....
for the Fremantle Football Club
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
after beginning his senior football career with South Fremantle Football Club
South Fremantle Football Club
The South Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed the Bulldogs, is an Australian rules football club, based in Fremantle, Western Australia, playing in the West Australian Football League...
in the West Australian Football League
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
(WAFL).
Fremantle career
Hayden was drafted by FremantleFremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
in the 2000 Rookie Draft. He spent the entire 2001 season on the rookie list and played for South Fremantle, mainly as a midfielder.
When full back Anthony Jones
Anthony Jones (Australian rules footballer)
Anthony Jones is a former Australian rules footballer. He was the winner of the 2007 Sandover Medal.- Fremantle career:...
tore his pectoral muscle, Hayden was elevated off the rookie list. He made his AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
debut in round 15, 2002 against the Kangaroos in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
at Manuka Oval
Manuka Oval
Manuka Oval is a 13,550 capacity ground located in the suburb of Griffith, adjacent to Manuka, a business district of Canberra, Australia's capital....
. In his second game, a Western Derby
Western Derby
The Western Derby is the name given to the Australian rules football rivalry match between the Fremantle Football Club and West Coast Eagles, who both participate in the Australian Football League . As both teams are based in Western Australia, the term 'derby' is used to describe the...
, he was challenged to play well on Phil Matera, or else it would be his last game for Fremantle. Hayden performed brilliantly (in just his second game as a defender), restricting Matera to a single goal. He would play three more games in 2002 before a hamstring injury forced him out of the team. He had shown enough, however, to be elevated permanently off the rookie list onto the senior playing list.
Hayden cemented his place amongst the so called No Name defence alongside Robert Haddrill
Robert Haddrill
Robert "Robbie" Haddrill is a defender for the South Fremantle Football Club, having previously played for the Fremantle Dockers in the AFL for seven seasons....
, Dion Woods
Dion Woods
Dion Woods is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Fremantle in the Australian Football League between 2001 and 2005....
, Antoni Grover
Antoni Grover
Antoni Grover is a defender for the Fremantle Dockers. After being elevated from the rookie list in 1999, he made his debut in round 21 against the Sydney Swans...
and Shane Parker
Shane Parker (footballer)
Shane Parker is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Fremantle Football Club. He made his debut in 1995, Fremantle's inaugural year in the Australian Football League....
of 2003 that helped Fremantle to reach their first ever finals appearance. He played in 21 of the 23 games and finished equal 9th in the Doig Medal
Doig Medal
The Doig Medal is the best and fairest award given out to the player considered best and fairest during a season for the Fremantle Football Club in the AFL....
best and fairest award. In round 4, 2003, Hayden was one of the seven indigenous players to represent Fremantle, the most ever to play in a single AFL team. The other indigenous players for Fremantle that day were Troy Cook
Troy Cook
Troy Cook is an Australian rules footballer. Cook plays for the Perth Football Club in the West Australian Football League.-Early career:...
, Jeff Farmer
Jeff Farmer (footballer)
Jeff Farmer is a former Australian rules footballer of Aboriginal descent. He was the first indigenous player to kick 400 goals in the Australian Football League .-Melbourne career:...
, Antoni Grover
Antoni Grover
Antoni Grover is a defender for the Fremantle Dockers. After being elevated from the rookie list in 1999, he made his debut in round 21 against the Sydney Swans...
, Des Headland
Des Headland
Desmond "Des" Headland, Jr is an Australian rules footballer currently playing for Subiaco in the West Australian Football League. He plays as a half-forward flanker or midfielder. Headland was selected with the first overall draft pick in the 1998 AFL Draft by the Brisbane Lions...
, Steven Koops
Steven Koops
Steven John Koops is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Fremantle Football Club and Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League .-Early life:...
and Dion Woods
Dion Woods
Dion Woods is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Fremantle in the Australian Football League between 2001 and 2005....
.
Hayden continued his good form into 2004, but broke his leg in the round 21 Western Derby. A long and arduous rehabilitation program meant that he was unavailable for the start of the 2005 season and another hamstring injury in a WAFL game meant he was unable to break back into the Fremantle side. He was, however, able to play for South Fremantle in their 2005 Premiership side. After returning to the Fremantle lineup in Round 2 of 2006, he only managed to remain in the team for three games being dropped after a poor game against Adelaide in Round 4. After consistent performances in the WAFL for South Fremantle he returned to the AFL for the remainder of the 2006 season.
The 2007 AFL Season was undoubtedly Roger Hayden's best, playing in all 22 games and was named among the final 40 for selection in the 2007 All-Australian team
2007 All-Australian Team
The 2007 Australian rules football All-Australian selection committee will provide the 40 leading players of the year in their playing positions at the conclusion of the home and away season before announcing the final 22 at a later date during the All Australian Presentation Dinner...
.
On the 31st of August, 2011, Roger Hayden announced his retirement at the age of 30, owing to a long-term foot injury.