Central Park-St Brendan’s batter Connor Hayes takes a trophy-laden view upon returning to town

It’s something of a rite of passage, it seems, for talented and budding prospects from the Goulburn Valley and northern Victoria at large to call Greenvale home in search of new challenges or possibly a push up the pecking order.

Hayes made the long trip down the Hume Hwy in his early 20s with ambitions of taking the next step following his breakthrough at Deakin Reserve, where he shared in the latter stages of the Tigers’ dynastic era.

Now 27, he’s come home — but at that age, by no means is it coming back “to roost”.

“When I left, we were just off the back of winning those three grand finals,” Hayes said.

“I was keeping an eye on the scores the whole time I was away, so I’m keen to help through this potential premiership window.

“In cricketing terms, now that I’m 27, I’m probably just getting to my prime now, so I’m hoping to play for at least another 10 years before I move into coaching.”

You can certainly make that point about his prime again — as anyone who witnessed his barnstorming two-day knock of 144 against Pine Lodge last weekend can attest.

It’s certainly a long-drawn bow to contemplate a post-playing career in an age profile where he would be expected to just hit his stride.

Nonetheless, given his experience, he clearly has visions towards imparting his wealth of knowledge on those who succeed him.

Why not, anyway? After all, this was his one true path from childhood.

“I was probably six or seven at the start, enjoying playing cricket in the backyard and then watching it on TV,” Hayes said.

“As soon as I could play junior cricket competitively, I got straight into it and it was my biggest sporting interest.

“I flowed from juniors into seniors and I was fairly young when I started doing both.

“I always wanted to play as high as I could. My parents said I always had to have a backup job, but cricket’s always been what I’ve wanted to do.”

Hayes’ time down south at the Kangaroos was not always one where he featured prominently; first hailed as a prospect in the making, his senior opportunities were inconsistent across the 2020 and 2021 calendar years — yes, pandemic aside.

Having hit his stride in the second half of a five-year run, though, the question becomes obvious: why return to the Cricket Shepparton realm now?

Well, he did end up in possession of the “backup job” his parents had long cautioned him of the need for, but to put it simply, it’s an enjoyable time all around in home surroundings for Hayes.

“It was more looking to the future and thinking along the lines that, at 27, I want a house and things like that,” Hayes said.

“My mindset has moved from trying to be that best player to help others get the best out of themselves.

“It’s nice finishing work and being able to just walk over here to train instead of getting in the car for two hours.

“Being a teacher as well, I know the importance of having senior players who you can talk to and watch them to model the game.”

He’d certainly know a thing or two on that front.

Hayes tangled with some of the nation’s finest as well as aspirants from abroad, not to mention sharing locker rooms for a period with fellow top export and former Tatura spinner Michael Archer.

His advice to some of the friends and foes he encounters on the pitches of our region now is simple — bet on yourself.

“Archer is the standout in recent years. I played a few years with him and I’m loving seeing him dominate,” Hayes said.

“The biggest thing I picked up is when you’re around that level of cricketer with state and international players coming in, it inspires you to work and want to do more.

“It shows you how much the mental side of the game matters and how important that is; you have to excel in that area, otherwise you won’t make it far.

“I enjoy being back at home and playing with these guys, but I do miss being down there with that level and I enjoyed every single second, although it was a lot of sacrifice.

“Even coming back into this league now, the top two or so cricketers in most teams are guys I could see being Vic Prem cricketers if they want to get down there and take that chance like I did.”

For the time being, though, there’s the here and now to enjoy as he returns to life at the Tigers.

Recruited for the express purpose of bolstering an at-times lagging Central Park offence, the opening batter reckons there’s a premiership path in sight, much as it was during his previous stint at the club.

Pointing again to that glorious 144 against the Lodgers from the current Haisman Shield two-day clash, there’s scope to say he’s been working out on that end.

“From the start, Tyler (Larkin) has been really good and we’ve been putting out the message that batting is a massive focus for us this year,” Hayes said.

“We’ve had some really good signs with our batting and even what I’m seeing as far as training is really good. I’m happy with it.

“Anyone would like to finish in the top four, but all of us have in the back of our minds that we’re really thinking of a premiership with the squad we’ve got.“