It’s hard to believe that Sam Mayes, Marco Paparone and Michael Close arrived in Brisbane ready to begin their AFL journey just 10 weeks ago.

Since that time, they’ve experienced their first AFL pre-season training, enjoyed a short visit back home over Christmas, bonded together at Maleny, completed the AFLPA induction process in Melbourne, moved into a new home, and blitzed the Club’s 2km time trials.

But more importantly, the draftees are beginning to feel more comfortable in their new environment with each passing week.   
 
Mayes – who, according to Captain Jonathan Brown, was one of the standouts in the Club’s recent 16-a-side scratch match at Coorparoo – told lions.com.au that those initial nerves from his first few weeks have been well and truly settled.   

“The first couple of weeks were pretty daunting,” Mayes said.

“You didn’t really know who anyone was – I mean you knew who they were, but personally didn’t know them.”

“But now that we’ve been around the Club for a while, you start to really bond and try and speak to people as much as possible. Everyone’s very welcoming.”

Mayes said the transition was made even easier after the Club drafted his “good mate” Jordon Bourke in December’s Rookie Draft.

“Bourkey went through the AIS with me, so it was great to see him drafted to the Lions as well,” Mayes revealed.

“It’s good to have him up there – we were pretty much best mates through the AIS and used to room together.”