While others have left, Sam Mayes has stayed, and on Sunday, the quietly spoken South Australian will rack up a significant milestone for the Brisbane Lions.
After being dropped on the eve of his 100th game seven weeks ago, Mayes has forced his way back into the Lions team and will run out against Essendon at the Gabba to rack up his century.
To say it hasn't been an easy journey would be an understatement.
Mayes was taken with the No.8 pick in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft, a gifted wingman who was capable of playing half-forward and kicking goals.
But amidst the stream of top-10 draft picks to leave, Mayes has rowed in the opposite direction.
"It feels like home to me," Mayes said.
"Ever since being drafted I haven't known any different.
"Brisbane's been home and the Gabba's been the place I go to every day.
"I love the challenge.
"Being at the bottom of the ladder and being with a group that's looking to improve, I love the challenge."
Mayes, 24, has been a part of just 27 wins in his career, including a lowly 10 in his
After a difficult personal year in 2015, he flirted with the idea of asking for a trade back to his home
"I still love being a part of it. It's such a close group.
"Coming to the club every day and being around your mates, it's one of the great parts of footy. You'd prefer to go out there on the weekend and win, it'd make Mondays a lot better," he laughed.
Mayes says the current group gives him more confidence than ever that he's in the right place.
He said being dropped by coach Chris Fagan, and working his way back through the NEAFL, had made him a better player.
Contested footy, tackles and getting to more contests – all messages that were rammed home and adhered to.
"Fages was pretty clear on the areas I needed to work on," he said.
"It's disappointing to start with but if you dwell on it rather than get working on those areas, you're probably going to find yourself there for a lot longer than you hope to.
"A couple of years ago … the heads would drop pretty quick when the other team got on top.
"That's why you go through the difficult times. Through those times you learn things.
"Now we're close in all games, sometimes we've got our head in front, there's optimism here for sure and I love being a part of it."
