Sam Mayes says he is feeling a closer bond with the Brisbane Lions and is "wholeheartedly invested" in producing a stellar 2016 season.
The 21-year-old was deeply impacted by the his grandfather passing away earlier this year, and had questioned if he needed to be closer to family in South Australia.
Mayes is a deep thinker and said he had to re-evaluate, telling afl.com.au that his unrest had nothing to do with the Lions and everything to do with his personal life.
He said since returning for pre-season training, he'd felt a closer bond with the Lions, who have invested heavily in welfare over the off-season.
Craig and Melissa Lambert have returned from five years with Greater Western Sydney and, with significant financial backing from club group the Lethal Lions, have just completed an orientation weekend for parents of first and second-year players.
In fact, Mayes just bought a house in Brisbane this week, perhaps a sign of his intentions for the future.
"I had things gong on back in Adelaide that drew me back there and I had a bit of a thought process of going back there, but at the moment I'm wholeheartedly up here and invested in next season," said Mayes.
"The Lamberts have come in and are very family orientated.
"They've been taking everyone for dinner, and even (CEO) Greg Swann and (his wife) Leonie have been getting people around, and in my three years that hasn't been a massive emphasis, and it's something that has obviously improved in a couple of months.
"It's important that everyone gets involved.
"Footy is such a small part of life really, and I had some things going on back home that pulled me there.
"Time heals, and the thing that happened back there, it hit home for me a bit.
"Being away from family is tough when things go on within the family, and you don't get to spend as much time with them, but the more I've been up here, I've grown a bit stronger."
Mayes says he feels good about his body and good about his game, hoping to nail down a spot on a half-back flank and wing.
It's a position he initially struggled with, but now wants to make his own.
"I felt like the side needed a bit of skill across the half-back line because it's something we'd lacked in my first couple of years.
"I felt like I kicked the ball well enough and made good enough decision to be able to develop into a nice half-back.
"I think I've learnt a bit over the last couple of years and hopefully I can build on that and put it into this season."
Mayes said he hadn't even thought about his contract situation and was more intent on training strongly and recapturing his best form.
