Stephen Crichton was the first name given to Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo after what is now a famous Bulldogs pre-season army camp.
“There’s your club captain”, each of the former elite tactical police officers in charge of the three-day camp in 2023 told Ciraldo afterwards.
Among the next names offered up in terms of leadership was that of Hayward – one of the most recognisable in rugby league, thanks to one of the game’s saddest stories.
“I asked the guys that ran the army camp to write down their top five leaders for me,” Ciraldo says.
“Every single one of them wrote down Bailey Hayward’s name. For a young guy to go on a camp like that, before he’s even played NRL, and show that kind of leadership, that was a real peek into what we’re seeing now on the paddock.
“That was the same camp where ‘Critta’ [Crichton] really stood out, and Bailey’s been doing the same ever since. This pre-season the coaches would be putting up clips or examples of what excellence looks like for the players, and more often than not it was Bailey Hayward at the forefront of those clips.”
Bulldogs rising star Bailey Hayward.Credit: NRL Imagery
The Hayward name first rose to prominence through Bailey’s grandfather, Paul, a talented and tough Newtown halfback in the 1970s and a boxer worthy of selection for the 1976 Montreal Olympics, although he didn’t compete as he turned professional before the Games.
The tale of Paul Hayward’s 11 years in a notorious Bangkok prison for heroin trafficking, and overdose three years after being granted a royal pardon in 1989, is still brought up with Bailey.
He acknowledges the reference point for so many rugby league fans with good grace and respect. And then quietly continues making his own name. Paul’s wife, Gail, is among his biggest fans.
“I don’t know too much about him beyond what I’ve been told,” Bailey says.
Paul Hayward after being released from prison for drug smuggling in 1989.Credit: Fairfax Media
“But it is a proud past for us, him playing for Newtown. I’ve only heard good things about him as a fella. I’m proud that he was my grandfather, and it was a famous story, but I wasn’t alive for it.
“It was tough for Nan, too [raising a family of three while Paul was incarcerated] but she’s played a massive part in not just my footy career, but my life as well.
The iconic 1985 cover of Rugby League Week featuring Paul Hayward.Credit: NRL Imagery
“From as soon as I could walk, as soon as footy became a thing for all of us kids, she never missed a game – didn’t matter what it was. I’m very proud of her and very grateful.”
Matt Burton’s recent knee injury paved the way for Hayward’s elevation from the Bulldogs bench to play five-eighth at NRL level for the first time.
The 23-year-old’s kick-chase, energetic defence and calm ball-playing all stood out in last week’s upset of Cronulla, just as those effort areas have been noted by Bulldogs staff for some time.
Bailey isn’t the first Hayward to follow Paul down a sporting path either. Sister Paige plays in the women’s A-League for Western Sydney, Central Coast and Adelaide after a US college career in Texas.
Canterbury cult hero Josh Reynolds has known the Haywards for most of Bailey’s life. And if there’s a shade of Paul in his grandson’s rough and tumble play, there’s a dash of Reynolds’ famed competitiveness, too.
“We came through the same junior club was St George Dragons, he’s a great fella who always gives back to them,” Reynolds says.
Bailey Hayward is fast becoming a fan favourite at Belmore.Credit: NRL Imagery
“I think even my Wikipedia page says St George as in the Red V, but it’s definitely in the Canterbury comp – make sure you clarify that for us. It’s been a long time since the Bulldogs have had a crop of local juniors but guys like Bailey, Jacob Kiraz and Lipoi Hopoi are coming through and representing the area.”
Hayward did stray as a junior, though. First to the Roosters under-age ranks. And then briefly from the game entirely.
“I had six months where I wasn’t playing around the age of 18,” he says. “I was working throughout SG Ball and under 20s as a surveyor when I came out of school. I think that little break was good for me because I missed it very quickly and realised straight away that footy was what I always wanted to do [as a career].”
When Reynolds announced his own NRL retirement in mid-2023, he mentioned not wanting to block Hayward’s progression through the Bulldogs ranks any longer.
“I’m good mates with his dad [Brad] and they were a bit shocked when Bailey gave footy up for a bit, I had a few chats with him to just see where he was at,” Reynolds says.
“It’s so good to see him come back because that competitive identity has always been there. Training alongside him, that’s what you want to see most as a Bulldog. That’s what the club wants to be built on.”
