The first couple of months spent at a professional AFL organisation can be quite daunting – particularly for a teenager who has just moved interstate to pursue his sporting dream.

But Lions’draftee Sam Mayes seems to have so far made a seamless transition into the ‘big time’.

It probably helps that he is sharing a house with three of his fellow draftees, and gets to train alongside a couple of his childhood heroes – Shane Woewodin and Brent Moloney.

“Growing up I supported Melbourne, so I was a pretty big Shane Woewodin and Brent Moloney fan!” Mayes revealed during his first ever live chat on lions.com.au

Moloney, in particular, seems to have already made quite an impression on the young South Australian.

“Brent Moloney has been pretty good with teaching the game style and positioning at training from an individual basis,” he said.

Away from the Hyundai Centre, Mayes and his fellow draftees have already developed a close bond, particularly since moving into Josh Drummond’s old house early in the New Year.

“My favourite housemate is Paps (Marco Paparone), he’s just very relaxed,” Mayes said.

“Nick Hayes sings a lot and has a terrible voice.”

“Living with Michael Close, it’s hard not to pick up on bad habits – his eating method is very questionable.”

“Closey isn’t pulling his weight with the house jobs, but we have been drilling him about it.”

“Suprisingly all of us can cook, and we cook most nights. Last night Paparone dished up stir-fry and it was first class.”

Some of the other topics covered in Mayes’ chat included his fear of lizards, his pre-season standouts, and a potential return of the mullet!

Read Sam Mayes’ full Live Chat transcript