The
Kangaroos gave up one first-round pick for the then-26-year-old Hay. 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. This led to Hay being dropped from the side and playing with North's then
VFL affiliate
Tasmania on 10 June 2006.
Mental health In August 2006, Hay held a press conference to announce he had been diagnosed with
bipolar disorder three years earlier. He said his symptoms increased in 2006, which he gave as a reason for why the year had "gone bad for [him], on and off the field". After disputes over his contract during the 2007 pre-season, it was announced on the day of the Kangaroos' first
NAB Cup game that Hay would be retiring from the AFL. His contract was paid out in full, despite his acknowledged problems with drugs and alcohol. In March 2007, an interview by
Craig Hutchison with Hay was aired on
The Footy Show. 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. Hay also spoke of a
stalker who harassed him on a regular basis for several years. In October 2008, he announced his intention to make a football comeback in 2009 after signing with suburban club
Langwarrin, but a snapped achilles tendon during a training drill in March 2009 forced him to miss the season. ==Statistics==