Newly appointed midfield coach Lenny Hayes is now driven to help others achieve the ultimate success after falling agonisingly short of winning a premiership during his own career. 

Hayes, who joined the GIANTS’ coaching staff in September, retired at the end of the 2014 season following 297 games for St Kilda which included three unsuccessful grand final appearances. 

The 35-year-old who grew up in Sydney recently returned home to help take the GIANTS’ talented young list to the next level. 

“Obviously I didn’t get there as a player but If I can help a couple of guys achieve the ultimate it would be very rewarding,” Hayes said.

“It’s the goal for everyone and that’s why I wanted to be part of the club because I can see it’s a driven group of both coaches and players.

“Ultimately as a coach I’m here to make the players better and make their experiences as a player better in some sort of way.”

Hayes played his junior football for Pennant Hills before being drafted to St Kilda with pick 11 in the 1998 AFL Draft.

He went on to carve out a highly decorated 16-year career with the Saints, playing in the midfield alongside former greats Robert Harvey, Nathan Burke and Luke Ball.

Although new to the role, Hayes said he could see similarities between the GIANTS’ talented midfield brigade and his former teammates at St Kilda.

“I think there’s a little bit of experience in there but certainly a lot of youth as well,” Hayes said.

“The thing that I like is that they’ve all come in together and they are building something really strong. For me to be a small part of that is really exciting.

“There’s definitely some similarities - a good balance of inside players and outside players and guys that are committed to the cause which I love.”

Hayes has spent the last 12 months working for the AFL, after being awarded the Ron Evans Scholarship, and providing special comments for ABC Grandstand.