Jonathan Hay

Jonathan Hay (born 13 August 1979) is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.

Born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Hay began his football career at Kalgoorlie Catholic Primary School and John Paul College before moving to Perth, Western Australia 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.

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 Hawks made a 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 the Kangaroos.

Kangaroos career

The Kangaroos 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 Tasmanian Devils on June 10, 2006. It was revealed later that week that Hay had been out drinking before the match, an indication of how seriously he took the game.

Depression battle

Hay's fall from grace as a footballer led to the announcement on August 28, 2006 that he suffered from bipolar disorder. He relapsed in 2006 on the back of his off-field behaviour and poor form. [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20275806-11088,00.html]

After disputes over his contract during the 2007 pre-season [Wilson, Caroline, [http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/articles/2007/02/13/1171128974761.html Roos, Hay in contract wrangle] , The Age, 14 February 2007.] , 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 in his final season, 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). [Lyall Johnson, [http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/hay-admits-to-drug-use-early-in-career/2007/03/29/1174761666956.html Hay admits to drug use early in career] , The Age, 30 March 2007.] Hay also spoke of a stalker who harassed him on a regular basis for several years. His name is Cameron Roberts, a lawyer for Frenkel Partners. [ [http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/revealed-the-city-lawyer-who-stalked-troubled-footy-star/2007/04/21/1176697152799.html Revealed: the lawyer who stalked troubled star - realfooty.com.au ] ]

References

* Harvey, N. "Humble start to footy career", "Kalgoorlie Miner", 1 March 2007, p 25.

External links

*AflRleague|ref=J/Jonathan_Hay.html