BRISBANE Lions fans shouldn't panic, but keeping out-of-contract utility Sam Mayes could be one of the club's biggest challenges in 2016.
Amid the departures of Jack Redden (West Coast) and James Aish (Collingwood) at the end of last season, Mayes was another name that came up as being unhappy.
And speaking to AFL.com.au, the 21-year-old confirmed it, saying he thought about asking for a move back to his home state of South Australia.
But just as ruckman Stefan Martin had flirted with a return to Melbourne before inking a four-year deal earlier this week, Mayes' unrest has nothing to do with the Lions and everything to do with his personal life.
In fact, Mayes just bought a house in Brisbane this week, perhaps a sign of his intentions for the future.
Things have been tough though.
His grandfather passed away in August and it had a profound effect on the No.8 pick in the 2012 draft.
Mayes is a deep thinker and said he had to re-evaluate.
"Footy is such a small part of life really, and I had some things going on back home that pulled me there," Mayes said.
"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 said he hadn't even thought about his contract situation and was more intent on training strongly and recapturing his best form.
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.
Sam Mayes gets a handball away against the Crows in round 21. Picture: AFL Media
Captain Tom Rockliff makes a good point, saying any time the Lions lose a player – like Redden and Aish – it gets put under the microscope following the 'Go Home Five' of 2013.
But the Lions know their problems and are addressing them.
Even Mayes, now entering his fourth season, says he feels the impact. And he needs to, because the Lions need him long term.
"Towards the end of last year it was a bit of a shambles, I guess," Mayes said.
"I had things going 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.
"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."
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," he said.
"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 knows that if the footy takes care of itself, usually everything else does as well.
