FREMANTLE young gun Chris Mayne says he can’t wait to savour the winning feeling again after yet another hard-fought loss – this time by 22 points to the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
The 19-year-old was one of several positives to emerge from a game in which only a second-quarter lapse prevented Fremantle from being right in it at the finish.
Mayne had a career-high 20 possessions, seven marks and four tackles against the Lions, also kicking an impressive checkside goal in the last quarter.
”It’s a gut wrench feeling – like it has been each week we’ve lost,” Mayne said.
”I played in the western derby win earlier in the year and it was such a good feeling – I really do miss that feeling.
”Out of the six games I’ve played, five of them I’ve walked off the ground feeling down and torn apart.”
While Fremantle’s losing run now stretches to eight games, Mayne agreed with coach Mark Harvey that opposing sides would treat the 15th placed club lightly at their own peril.
Despite being 1-10, Fremantle has lost by more than five goals only once and on four occasions has been beaten by less than 10 points.
”We do get a bit of flak from the media and supporters of other clubs, but we don’t really think about it,” Mayne said.
”If you dwell on it too much it interrupts your footy. The boys just take it on the chin – we’ll prove them wrong sooner or later.
”Each week we get up for the next battle and if teams don’t take us seriously, they’ll have to look out.
Mayne bounced back from being pole-axed against Port Adelaide in round 11 to play against the Lions – only having stitches removed from his forehead on game day.
The Perth product was one of several youngsters – along with Rhys Palmer, Robbie Warnock and Garrick Ibbotson – praised by Harvey after the match.
”Along with the other young guys I just try and come out every game and do my role for the team,” Mayne said.
”I think all us young guys have been going okay and we’re just hoping to keep our spots in the team.
”We’re not far off (a win). If we’d won some of the games where we’ve only just lost, we could be in the top eight.
”We’re still a great club and we’re going to play some great footy in the future.”
