In 2001, he earned All-Australian selection and was slim, quick and continually kept full-forwards to low scores in a year where the Hawks made the Preliminary Final.
Hay debuted with the Kangaroos in 2006 and made several simple skill errors, with many commentators bemoaning his constant turnovers to the opposition and his poor disposal in defence.
[1] After disputes over his contract during the 2007 pre-season,[2] it was announced on the day of the Kangaroos' first NAB Cup game that Hay would be retiring from the AFL.
Hay said during the interview he wanted the chance to tell Kangaroos supporters and the football public in general the reason for his substandard form, which he said was due to illicit drug use that he said exacerbated his mental health condition.
[4] In October 2008, he announced his intention to make a football comeback in 2009 after signing with suburban club Langwarrin,[5] but a snapped achilles tendon during a training drill in March 2009 forced him to miss the season.