LENNY Hayes could remain at St Kilda in a coaching capacity next season, but admits his first priority is finishing the year on a positive note.

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“Initially, I want to finish off the season really well,” Hayes told a packed media conference on Tuesday morning.

“I see the last six games of the year as six opportunities for us to improve as a group. After that I think I will need a bit of time off. I have a pretty young family so we will get away.”

VIDEO: Lenny Hayes press conference part 2

If it hasn’t started already, the 34-year-old will have an influx of offers for 2015 and beyond, including a proposal from the Saints to remain at Linen House Centre in a coaching capacity.

“The club has certainly made it clear that they would love to have me around,” he said.

“What that looks like at this point of time I’m not too sure. But I guess over the next 8-12 weeks we can sort through that and get a better understanding of what I’m going to do next year,”

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In many ways, Hayes has already begun his transition into coaching as a mentor for young midfielders like Luke Dunstan and Seb Ross, and in typically self-effacing fashion, said he still has a long way to go before he can take on a full-time role.

“I’ve done a few courses and I’ve obviously worked closely with a few of the young guys here, but I’m under no illusions that I need to improve in a lot of areas if I am to become even an assistant coach.

“I think I still need to learn and tick off a couple of things before I throw myself into that.”



Regardless of where Hayes ends up next year, he is certain that the Saints are on the right path, and recalled the similarities between the current crop of players and those teammates he grew up with over a decade ago.

“I’m really confident with what’s going on inside the club,” he said.

“The people in positions of power at the club are the right people to take this club forward. I see a really hungry group of players that really want to stand for something and build something. I’ve seen how quickly it can turn. I will always be a Saints man.”

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And although the 291-game veteran would have loved to have played AFL for another “three to four seasons”, the emergence of a host of young ball-winners means Hayes doesn’t feel as though he will leave a void that can’t be filled.

“I think with where the playing list is at, there are a number of really young guys who play in a similar position to me and I think they are really ready to take the next step in terms of their footy development.

“Father time has probably caught up with me. It’s a really exciting time to be at this place. We have a lot of work to do but I think that’s exciting.”