Our Season Summary looks back at how each GIANTS player fared during the 2015 AFL season.
 
Name: Nick Haynes
Number: 19
2015 Games: 17 AFL
AFL Fantasy Average: 60
Awards: GIANTS’ Virgin Australia Mark of the Year.
 
Background: Nick Haynes was selected by the GIANTS with pick 7 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft. He made his debut in round 10, 2012 v Geelong.

Best Game: Round 7 v Carlton - 20 touches, 9 marks, 5 inside-50s, 4 one-percenters.

Summary: Having never played more than 11 games in a season, there’s no doubt 2015 was Haynes’ most consistent year yet. After establishing himself as a key member of the GIANTS’ back six in 2014 before a season-ending injury, it was all guns blazing for the 23-year-old as he entered this season. With Joel Patfull’s recruitment meaning Haynes could play as a third-tall defender, he started the season strongly and became known for his big marks deep in defence. Groin issues flared up during the season and stopped him being able to string together more games, but it shouldn’t affect 2016.

Pat On The Back: One of the highlights of the year, which won him the GIANTS’ Virgin Australia Mark of the Year at the Kevin Sheedy Medal, Haynes went back with the flight in round six against Hawthorn for a huge grab.

What They Said: "The quiet assassin” - Coach Leon Cameron describes Haynes in a Sydney Morning Herald article in May.

Look Ahead: With 44 games under his belt, and injury issues hopefully a thing of the past, Haynes is set for another big year in 2016. A fit Phil Davis, the return of Tim Mohr and Patfull will hopefully mean the 192cm defender doesn’t have to play tall and can excel in the sweeping role, cutting off opposition attacks and coming in as the third-man up in marking contests.