Former AFL rookie wins NFL spot
Matthew Hayball declared it was “just the start” after winning an all-Australian showdown with incumbent Lou Hedley to win the punter’s spot at the New Orleans Saints a week out from the start of the NFL season.
The former AFL draftee made the final 53-man Saints roster, with Hedley, who held the role last season, the first man to offer his fellow Australian congratulations.
Hayball, who was drafted by Geelong in 2015 as a project player but never played an AFL game, had turned his focus to punting and had a successful time at US college at Vanderbilt.
The 27-year-old signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent in April and regularly out punted with Hedley throughout training camp and was given the golden ticket on the eve of the new season. .
“There’s always a little bit of anxiety just with the uncertainty,” Hedley said after being told the spot was his.
“It’s bittersweet knowing it was going to be me or Lou. I’m just excited to get the opportunity.
Saints HC Dennis Allen talks about keeping Blake Grupe over rookie Irish kicker Charlie Smyth and new rookie punter Matthew Hayball talks about beating out Lou Hedley.
Hayball and Hedley both Australian and both entered NFL as 'old' rookies. pic.twitter.com/6LM2boeSzX— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) August 27, 2024
“It’s great but it’s just the start. Now it’s back to work, now the real stuff starts and it’s about how I can help this team win some games.
“It’s great to take this in momentarily but then it’s back to winning football games.”
Hayball conceded he still had things to “clean up” but he knew he was in the right team to further his career.
“I think looking to flip the field, continuing to grow with my consistency there. There are still some things to clean up, but every day I’m trying to get better,” he said.
“I knew I was going to learn and develop quickly here. They have been great at giving undrafted guys an opportunity.
“I felt like this was a great spot to come in and if I could do the right things, I was going to get a good opportunity here.”
Pro day prep ⏰ pic.twitter.com/mhE9nHYpXx
— Matthew Hayball (@matthewhayball) March 22, 2024
Hayball joins a growing list of Australians in the NFL, including stars like Jordan Mailata, and new additions this season, including fellow punter Tory Taylor, who was drafted by the Chicago Bears.
New Orleans will open their NFL season against the Carolina Panthers on September 8.
