THE CLASSIC pre-season goals have all been said before, especially when arriving at a new club. Play a certain amount of games, make an impact, earn your spot.

But Nick Haynes’ aspirations in his first year in his new colours are much more inward, which he firmly believes will assist him in the long run.

“I’ve set a very basic goal - to be happy and healthy. If I can do that within myself, that’ll result in good things - in both life and football,” Haynes told Carlton Media.

“I think I’ve done that so far in my first few months here, which has held me in good stead. To help me be out there on the park, to build new relationships around the Club: it’s a small goal that will hopefully lead to bigger and better things to come.”

If the first few months are anything to go by, it’s not just Nick - but rather, the entire Haynes clan - which are living that ethos to a tee. It was a long-awaited homecoming for Haynes to return to Melbourne, having enjoyed a brilliant run with GWS after being taken as a top 10 pick some 14 years ago.

Back in his home state for the first time since he was 19, the inaugural Giant is thrilled to be back home with wife Bec and daughter Murphy.

“Overall, very good. Melbourne life is going well, wife and kid love the area we’re in, and I’d say a successful pre-season at a new club.

“Murphy’s the star of the show. The Club does very well to help out young families, we’ve got so many at the Club under the age of two - they’re looking after all the families, bringing everyone in and getting to know each other.

“I know Bec is very appreciative of having new friends she’s already close with in a short period of time, and Murphy is going to have some great friends going forward as well.”

Where Haynes and the Blues’ wider playing group find themselves is in stark contrast to when his own career was starting out at the end of 2011, as part of an incredibly youthful, raw core at the Giants.

Of course, in previous years, Haynes would’ve had a few former Giants mates around the halls of IKON Park… but now, it’s only Zac Williams left from those days, unless you count inaugural GWS co-captain - and now Carlton’s VFL Senior Coach - Luke Power.

It hasn’t stopped Haynes from settling in seamlessly to his new surrounds. After so long at a different club in a different state, Haynes was buoyed by the challenge of something new - and with 211 games already at the level, his face lights up on the thought of game No.212.

“Just being in Melbourne in general, even in the Herald Sun you see that footy is on the back page in December somehow - they’ll find a way. It’s just a different feeling down here: it’s full on.

“I’ve loved learning about the history and culture of Carlton, you can tell the fans are very, very passionate here - and I love that. It’s brought an energy I haven’t experienced before, so I’m really looking forward to playing in front of the Blues fans and getting wins on the board.”

Speaking to media a few weeks ago about his desire and steadfast belief that he could make an impact not just in 2025 but beyond, there’s clearly a fire that Haynes has which is replicated by his new teammates.

Part of his decision to come to IKON Park was not only what he could bring, but also what the Blues could get out of him. At 32, he may be closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but for the former All Australian and best and fairest winner, team success is still the ultimate.

“I’m not shy to say it: I want to finish my career as a premiership player, and I’d love to do it with this club.”

In both what he can bring individually and also to the wider team, Haynes - as assistant coach Aaron Hamill said earlier this week - could barely have done anymore. A natural leader, he is bringing his wealth of knowledge to not only the Blues’ emerging defensive group, but also a group of youngsters at the other end of the ground that Haynes couldn’t have been more impressed with.

“One thing I noticed in my first week at the Club is the young boys came back super fit, super strong and eager to learn. That pushes the older boys as well, and it’s how you build a great culture and improvement within a football club.

“Someone like Ashton Moir, he came to me wanting to improve on things. I’ve seen a massive improvement in his game in the last few months. Down back, we’ve got a great balance of youth and experience where everyone wants to get better - there are no egos down there.

“You can’t cheat the game of football: the guys who want to learn, improve and work hard are the ones that get rewarded.”