IT’S MUSIC to the ears of Brisbane Lions fans - first year star Sam Mayes loves the club and says he doesn't plan on going anywhere.
The Lions have just endured the off-season from hell that included losing five players under the age of 21, who all departed sighting homesickness.
The loss of Jared Polec (Port Adelaide), Patrick Karnezis (Collingwood), Billy Longer (St Kilda), Sam Docherty (Carlton) and Elliot Yeo (West Coast) robs the Lions of every first and second round pick they selected from the 2010 and 2011 NAB AFL Drafts.
Mayes was the club's first pick (No. 8 overall) in the 2012 Draft, and had a ripping first season, playing 18 games and showing poise and class from his roaming wing/half-forward role.
The 19-year-old South Australian comes out of contract at the end of next season, but says he has no plans of following in the footsteps of the ‘Homesick Five’.
"For anyone that wants to know, I'm pretty happy to stay up here. I'm loving life in Brisbane," Mayes says with a big grin.
"The boys have welcomed and embraced me very well. I'm sure the other first year boys can back me up on that. It feels like a family up here and I feel pretty at home."
Mayes rooms with fellow first-year players Jordon Bourke, Michael Close, Marco Paparone and and Nick Hayes.
They get on so well that four of the five – minus Paparone - holidayed together in Bali over the break.
After a couple of weeks back in South Australia, Mayes then returned to Brisbane three weeks before pre-season officially resumed to commence his own training.
"I think the way the club's gone about its induction and the way us first years have been embraced has been great," he says.
"It's a bit disappointing to lose those players but it's going to be a strong draft this year and we'll get some good players in again."
Mayes even has some advice for the six draftees that will be taken by the Lions at the November 21 draft on the Gold Coast.
"First impressions are the ones that last. When you get to the club, crack on from the start and you'll gain the trust and respect of the blokes pretty quickly."
Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting https://twitter.com/AFL_mikewhiting
