Blues’ ‘barometer’ pushing for recall, as veteran defender faces fitness test

Carlton forward Will Hayward is pushing for a recall, while veteran Nick Haynes will need to prove his fitness when the Blues have their major training session ahead of Friday night’s elimination final against Geelong.

Hayward was close to returning against Melbourne in the wildcard clash, after hurting his ankle landing a high-flying mark in the draw with the Western Bulldogs in round 23, but the Blues opted to give him another week.

The former Swan trained strongly on Monday before a large crowd of boisterous fans at Ikon Park, and will put pressure on the selection committee to return him to a side that has won 12 of its past 15 games, including a four-point win over the Cats in round 12 when he booted a team-high three goals.

Hayward has booted 24 goals this season, including nine in the last four games he played, and is one of six Blues with at least 20 in a well-rounded forward line.

Blues vice-captain Jacob Weitering said on Monday that Hayward was in the mix for the return.

“Yeah, definitely. I mean, he’s a test, short turnaround this week, so a six-day break means that we’ve got the day off tomorrow, more recovery, and then just the one training session on Wednesday,” Weitering said.

“So, there’ll be some boys that’ll be obviously quite sore. [Ben] Ainsworth wasn’t out here [on Monday], but he’ll be out there on Wednesday, and yeah, boys will certainly push the selection.”

Weitering said Hayward had made a seamless transition to the Blues this season after nine years with the Swans.

“Oh, he’s a barometer, just an energy guy, very easily could be a vice-captain, in my opinion,” Weitering said.

“He’s that valuable … I actually haven’t seen too many players integrate as well as what I guess all the boys this year have done.”

Haynes, a robust defender, is sore and will need to prove his fitness. He could be a straight swap for Hayward should injury force a change.

The Blues made two changes after the draw with the Bulldogs, an injured Haynes exiting with Hayward, while Lewis Young and Ollie Hollands returned. Hollands was among the Blues best on Saturday night, while Young was named on the bench.

Skipper Patrick Cripps hurt his knee against the Demons, but completed training, albeit with the knee bandaged. He was all smiles while signing autographs for the fans.

“He had a knock on his knee. He’s good. A bit like Haynes, he played the game out, short turnaround, so we’ll make sure that they’re recovering well over the next couple of days,” Weitering said.

Cripps, said Weitering, no longer needs to “carry the load”, pointing to Jagga Smith’s dominant display against the Demons.

“But he [Cripps] had some really important smothers, incredible tackles and efforts, and, obviously, a captain’s goal in there as well … he doesn’t have to carry the load any more,” Weitering said.

“We’ve got some guys to spread it, but he’s continuing to lead us. And he might not be maybe having his Brown low-type form, but it’s been referenced that he’s probably leading as well as he ever has.”

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