Hayes found the ball 22 times and booted two goals in the 21.11 (137) to 4.9 (33) win at Marvel Stadium.
A highlight from the game was an electrifying team goal, which Hayes started off half-back with a chain of handballs.
The midfielder mimicked many of his horse trainer father's star sprinters, jetting off down the field and kicking a classy goal on the run.
Seymour's Josh Schache chipped in with three goals and Deniliquin's Sam Lloyd added one to his season tally.
Meanwhile, Echuca's Ollie Wines led the way in his return to Port Adelaide's side, as the Power clinched a 47-point victory over Sydney.
The Power skipper racked up 22 disposals, five tackles and kicked two majors, while Katamatite's Tom Clurey (18 disposals, eight marks) was huge in defence.
After recently putting pen to paper on a contract extension, Deniliquin's Todd Marshall kicked two goals for the Power.
Benalla's Tom Rockliff chipped in with 19 touches, six tackles and five clearances in the win.
In Canberra, Mansfield's James Cousins (19 disposals) and Rennie's Daniel Howe (12 disposals) played a helping hand in Hawthorn's shock win against Greater Western Sydney.
For the Giants, Echuca Sam Reid battled hard with 12 touches, while Kyabram's Brett Deledio exited the field with an injury.
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Tallygaroopna's Steele Sidebottom (28 disposals, nine marks, five tackles) and Euroa's Jamie Elliott clinched a 17-point victory against Melbourne.
Mooroopna's Clayton Oliver was influential for the Dees, finding the ball 29 times and laying 11 tackles in his side's loss.
Meanwhile, Finley's Tom Hawkins had an inaccurate night in front of goals in Geelong's win against North Melbourne.
Hawkins had 16 disposals and 13 marks, but kicked 2.4 in the 55-point win alongside Cobram's Esava Ratugolea.
Mooroopna's Jy Simpkin and Rochester's Shaun Atley fought bravely for the Kangaroos.
Lastly, Seymour's David Mundy (14 disposals) and Moama's Lachie Schultz (one goal) were unable to guide Fremantle to victory against St Kilda.
And Mooroopna export Jarryd Harbrow's Gold Coast were belted against a dominant Brisbane Lions outfit by 91 points.