The Saints have played their cards close to their chest when asked about the turf this season but Hayes admitted on Monday there was an issue.
“It was interesting. Personally I love playing there. I think it is a great stadium and as a team we’ve played really well there over the past few seasons. It was definitely slippery and I suppose as a player you just want to know that if something can be done about it that it is going to be done,” Hayes said.
“If there is any way they can improve it over the next couple of weeks, you’d like to think they are doing everything they can to do that.
“Hopefully over the next couple of weeks it improves a bit. When we walked out before the game it seemed really good but there were times where it was a little too slippery and it didn’t matter what boots you were wearing. Hopefully they acknowledge that there is a bit of a problem there and they can do something about it.”
Hayes said he was impressed by the work of tall forwards Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke, who both looked dangerous against the Hawks on Friday night.
Riewoldt was playing in his third game back after returning from a hamstring injury.
“It was always going to take a couple of weeks but the way he played on Friday night he let himself go," Hayes said.
"He was flying for his marks and the work rate we’ve seen over the last eight to 10 years was really there on Friday night.”
Koschitzke kicked three goals and could have had a couple more but for a free kick given against a runner and a mark in front of goal that wasn’t paid.
Hayes said Koschitzke was at his best when partnered with Riewoldt up forward.
“They work well together," Hayes said. "It probably takes a little bit of heat off each other. If there is just one of them there, defences can plan and know that we kick the ball to them a fair bit.
“When they’re both out there together they work well.
"I think Kosi has been improving his footy and I thought the way he attacked the contests and attacked the ball on Friday night was good.”
