Very sorry to hear about your circumstances and horrified and disgusted by what you went through.  I work with young people everyday and have for many years and sadly your story is not unique. Good on you for having the courage to share your story and by doing so helping others.

Stay strong Daniel and hang in there. You've shown great courage.

Hopefully the AFL, MFC or Players Association will provide support.

Good luck.

Daniel sorry for everything you have experienced.  I really hope you get what you need to help you heal and move forward.  You have certainly put perspective to my emotions following our team’s final’s exit.  Life is the biggest and most important game.  Best wishes to you and all connected to you.

My heart breaks for you, Daniel. I’m so sorry the MFC never reached out to you… that’s inexcusable. Please know that there are many, many people who care about you and wish nothing but the best for you and your children. Sending much love, and big hugs to you. 💕

Hi Daniel, 

Good on you for reaching out and I will say on behalf of everyone here, we are all behind you with your situation and hope you have some great supports in place. Reading you post today I just wanted to give you some phone numbers to call if needed. 

Life line 13 11 14

GCASA. 5134 3922

 

i hope the AFLPA have provided you some support and the funding required for your recovery 

 

cheers and good luck bud 

On 17/09/2023 at 07:52, therealhayesy said:

I just wanna say thank yous all for the msg my name is Daniel Hayes this story is about me please be careful what yous write please I really don't know where to start but I'm 35 5 kids live in East Gippsland MARK HEANEY RAPE ME on 5 on September at he's house when I was playing for EASTERN RANGES footy when I played bottom age in the TAC football everyone keeps saying did I speak to anybody [censored] I WISH I DID plays in my head everyday I was Scared and emotional and embarrassed to say something And not being with my mum and my family they live 4 hours away 😥 all I wanted is to play AFL that was my dream and when my dream came true when I got drafted to Melbourne in 07 rookie best moment of my life you would think 🤔 has anybody reach out ????? To answer your question is NO NOT EVEN A MSG OR PHONE CALL OR EMAIL FROM MELBOURNE FOOTY CLUB OR AFL makes me think y am I doing this my mental health is at its worst atm

And 1 more thing it's got nothing to do with Melbourne fc. Im GOING AFTER MARK HEANEY and eastern ragers the club themselves is a  great club   I love Melbourne fc for giving me a chance just I just wish I said something when it happened to me I love the AFL system just needs to change 

2 hours ago, therealhayesy said:

And 1 more thing it's got nothing to do with Melbourne fc. Im GOING AFTER MARK HEANEY and eastern ragers the club themselves is a  great club   I love Melbourne fc for giving me a chance just I just wish I said something when it happened to me I love the AFL system just needs to change 

It’s so good to hear you’re at a point where you can forge a better future for yourself and your family. Stay strong, Daniel. 💖

The best revenge is success for you and your family. Now and into the future.

court action might be a win, but you get the law applied not always justice.

Advertise your success over your opponent, you will feel better and so will your loved ones.  Good luck

8 hours ago, therealhayesy said:

And 1 more thing it's got nothing to do with Melbourne fc. Im GOING AFTER MARK HEANEY and eastern ragers the club themselves is a  great club   I love Melbourne fc for giving me a chance just I just wish I said something when it happened to me I love the AFL system just needs to change 

Daniel if there is anything any of us can do for you, please shout out.  We don't want you to be abandoned by the system or left to deal with this.  My heart breaks for you.  And you absolutely deserve justice.

Mark Heaney has been named in an action instituted against him and the Sydney Swans over alleged sexual abuse of a trainee academy player more than a decade ago.

Hopefully, the outcome will bring justice to the unnamed player as well as to former Demon rookie Daniel Hayes.

I hope that Daniel is doing well and knows that he has our support and good wishes.

Reported in today’s Herald Sun

Additional reporting in the on line edition refers to Daniel’s legal action against Heaney.

 

I'm not interested in finding out the player's identity, but why is the Herald Sun using a pseudonym? Would that be a legal requirement given the status of the action? 

30 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I'm not interested in finding out the player's identity, but why is the Herald Sun using a pseudonym? Would that be a legal requirement given the status of the action? 

Good question for the lawyers in our Devils Advocates group. 

If the player has launched legal action, wouldn’t it be a matter of public record?

4 hours ago, The Oracle said:

Good question for the lawyers in our Devils Advocates group. 

If the player has launched legal action, wouldn’t it be a matter of public record?

 

4 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I'm not interested in finding out the player's identity, but why is the Herald Sun using a pseudonym? Would that be a legal requirement given the status of the action? 

Likely a suppression and/or pseudonym order was applied for and granted. It could be for a range of reasons, such as but not limit to that because the allegations are of a sexual nature, the victim being vulnerable, and the victim was a child at the time of alleged offending.