HAYNES, Ben

Ben Haynes first played for Essendon in 1999 when, as Western Jets captain, he became a top-up player for the Reserves and played in the 1999 Reserves premiership. Essendon was keen to draft him in 2000 but had been restricted by draft penalties so he was picked up by Richmond as a rookie. He was promoted to the senior list and played five games in 2000 and 2001 but was delisted at the end of the 2001 season.

He joined Essendon's Reserves in 2002, finishing second in the Best and Fairest Player award, and was selected with pick 12 in the 2002 Rookie draft at the end of the year. He was elevated to the senior list in 2003 but a shoulder injury kept him out of the first half of the season. He returned to play seven games late in the year, including two finals.

He played four games in the early stages of 2005 before breaking his arm in Round 6 against Brisbane. He was unable to regain his place in the team and was delisted at the end of the year.

He then moved to West Adelaide in 2006 where he won their best and fairest award that year. He returned to Melbourne in 2007 and played for several suburban clubs, including four seasons as Montmorency's playing coach.