St Kilda Vice Captain Lenny Hayes was far from disappointed after taking home half the points on Friday night, following a draw to Hawthorn in Round 17 at Etihad Stadium. As only the 23rd draw in the Club’s 136 year history, Hayes could see no problem in tied results, which some AFL spokespeople are pushing to be removed from the home and away fixture.

Speaking to media this afternoon, Hayes said; “I think it was a great game and both teams would have walked away pretty happy that they had the two points. Two points are obviously better than none.”

“I thought the way both teams went about it, it was a cracking game and probably a fitting result in the end.”

Despite their slow start to the season the Hawks have lost only one game since Round 8 and are soaring their way up the AFL Premiership Ladder.

“They are a real quality side and after a slow start to the year they are playing some great footy. They’ll definitely factor in September I’d say. They are one of the best teams going around at the moment so it was a really great test for us and a great game.”

After three games were played at the venue over the weekend, Etihad Stadium has come into further media speculation regarding the quality of the surface, which appeared slippery for a number of players.

When asked on his opinion of the surface Hayes said; “Personally I love playing at Etihad, I think it is a great Stadium. As a team we have played really well there over the last 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, then it is going to be done. So if there is any way that they can improve it over the next couple of weeks, you’d like to think that they are doing everything they can to do that.”

“When we walked out before the game it seemed really good but there were times where it was just a little bit too slippery. Hopefully they acknowledge that there is a bit of a problem there and that they can do something about it.”

With a couple of goals, 9 marks and 11 kicks, Nick Riewoldt certainly seems to climbing back to his top form after returning to the game after three months on the sidelines following hamstring surgery.

Happy with the performance of his Captain, Hayes spoke about the recent return of Nick as well as the form of other tall forward Justin Koschitzke, who kicked the first three goals of the Round 17 match.

“It was always going to take (Riewoldt) a couple of weeks, but I thought the way be played on Friday night, he was really letting himself go. He was flying for his marks and the work rate we’ve seen the last 8-10 years was really there. I think he took some confidence out of that.”

“I do think (Koschitzke and Riewoldt) work well together, they probably take a little bit of heat off each other. When they are both out there together they definitely work well.”

Looking ahead to another Friday night game at Etihad Stadium this week, Hayes and his teammates are preparing to face Essendon. Despite sitting at 12th on the ladder, the Bombers hold the recent success over the Saints winning their past two meetings.

“They’re a very proud Club and have gotten the better of us over the last few years. But hopefully Friday night we can turn the tables on that contest” Hayes said.

“They play some really good attacking football against us and we will be hoping to shut them down in key areas.”

With five games remaining before the end of the home and away season, Hayes is looking forward to the challenge that awaits the boys once again in September.

“It’s a pretty exciting time of the year, there is obviously still a little bit of footy to be played yet, but there are a number of teams that I think can win it so it’s going to be an exciting final series that’s for sure.”