Sam Mayes, for instance, is proving to be such a player.
Mayes is a natural forward, having played the bulk of his junior years in attack, but it was his work as an outside midfielder in the 2012 U18 National Championships that saw him rocket up the draft ratings.
Since joining the Lions with Pick No.8 at the 2012 AFL National Draft, the versatile South Australian has proven capable of both finding the ball in the midfield (six times he’s collected 20 or more disposals) and hitting the scoreboard (he’s kicked three goals or more on four occasions).
With cloning not an option, Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch expects Mayes will continue rotating through both areas of the ground.
“The game nowadays is calling for flexibility, and midfielders to play forward. But it seems he does his best work as a forward,” Leppitsch said on Sunday.
“He’s been really good, and kicking four goals (against Geelong) was a really good effort.”
Mayes was one of five teenagers in the Lions’ line-up last Sunday – along with Michael Close, Marco Paparone, James Aish, and Lewis Taylor.
And after recently extending his contract with the Lions, he promises to play a big role in the Club’s future.
