SAM Mayes has stopped the rot of young cubs leaving the Brisbane Lions by signing a two-year contract extension.
The No.8 pick from the 2012 NAB AFL Draft has inked a deal that will keep him at the Gabba until at least the end of 2016.
It's a big coup for the Lions who lost five first and second-round picks from the two previous drafts during the off-season.
Jared Polec (Port Adelaide), Patrick Karnezis (Collingwood), Billy Longer (St Kilda), Sam Docherty (Carlton) and Elliot Yeo (West Coast) all requested trades, citing homesickness, and left the club.
Mayes, 19, had an outstanding first season in 2013, playing 18 games and stamping himself as one of the Lions' most important players with his composure and slick ball use.
The South Australian said he was enjoying his time in Brisbane and was satisfied the club was on the right path.
"I'm really happy to be staying with the Lions," Mayes told lions.com.au.
"The club is headed in the right direction and I'm looking forward to developing as a player with a great team."
The Lions recently put a proposal to the AFL that would see draftees automatically granted a three-year deal when joining the club.
The Lions also suggested the living interstate and parental allowance (multiple flights for the player and their family) available to first-year players when they move interstate should be available to players in their second year.
