Sam Mayes Biography

Port Adelaide delist Sam Skinner, Sam Mayes and Taj Schofield.

Port Adelaide select Sam Mayes with pick No.31 in the 2021 Rookie Draft.

Ex-Lion Sam Mayes will return to the Gabba, representing Port Adelaide for the first time and playing his first game in 757 days.

"It will be a really good story for us. He's had a couple of years since he's played some AFL football and it's exciting to know he's had to work really, really hard and earned his opportunity," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.

Sam Mayes has his sights set on securing the vacant wing spot at Port Adelaide created by Jared Polec's departure to North Melbourne.

"I can see myself filling that position, so that's what I'm going to try and do. I think naturally my best position is wing/half forward," he said.

"I have developed over the last few years as a half-back, so I think it's something I can add to the side this season is a bit of versatility."

Chad Wingard is a Hawk and Ryan Burton has officially joined Port Adelaide alongside Lion Sam Mayes in two significant trades on final day of the 2018 AFL Trade Period.

It also left the Power armed with Brisbane’s pick No.5, exchanging pick No.6 with the Lions.

Hawthorn’s pick No.15 moved to the Power, the Lions gaining Hawthorn's pick No.35 and a future third-round selection.

Contracted to the Lions for one more season, Mayes was granted his wish to return to South Australia to be closer to his family.

Sam Mayes could be on the move despite having a year to run on his contract with Brisbane.

Mayes is keen to explore his options in search of greater opportunities after playing just six senior games this season.

The Lions are understood to be open to a trade.

While others have left, Sam Mayes has stayed at Brisbane and will notch his 100th game for the club this weekend.

"Ever since being drafted I haven't known any different. Brisbane's been home and the Gabba's been the place I go to every day," Mayes said.

"Being at the bottom of the ladder and being with a group that's looking to improve, I love the challenge."

Sam Mayes signs a new three-year deal with Brisbane that will keep him at the club until the end of 2019.

"Having had an uninterrupted pre-season Sam has taken his game to another level in 2016. His form has been very good," Brisbane Lions national talent manager Peter Schwab said.

"As one of our long-term players it's fantastic to have him re-sign for a further three years."

Sam Mayes is due to come out of contract with the Lions at the end of 2018, but has put off contract talks with the club.

The 21-year-old was linked to a possible return to his home state of South Australia ahead of last October's trade period, but is believed to be happy at the Gabba and last December purchased a three-bedroom house in the eastern Brisbane suburb Camp Hill.

Sam Mayes suffers a stress reaction in his foot and will be in a moon boot while the injury settles.

He will miss a minimum of two weeks as a result.

After signing a new deal with the Lions, Sam Mayes says deciding to stay on at Brisbane was an easy decision.

"I wouldn't say it was a tough decision at all, it was easy for me," Mayes said.

"I'm happy up here. (We've got a) good bunch of players, good group, good future, so it was not hard to stick around."

Sam Mayes has stopped the rot of young cubs leaving the Brisbane Lions by signing a two-year contract extension.

"I'm really happy to be staying with the Lions," Mayes said.

"The club is headed in the right direction and I'm looking forward to developing as a player with a great team."

Star young Lion Sam Mayes says he loves the club and doesn't plan on going anywhere.

"For anyone that wants to know, I'm pretty happy to stay up here. I'm loving life in Brisbane," Mayes said.

"The boys have welcomed and embraced me very well. I'm sure the other first year boys can back me up on that. It feels like a family up here and I feel pretty at home."

Sam Mayes wins the round 12 NAB AFL Rising Star nomination after tallying 25 disposals and 7 marks against Fremantle.

"From day one we've been very impressed by Sam's attitude and his approach to his training," Brisbane coach Michael Voss said.

"He's a good, level-headed young man. When you keep presenting yourself in that fashion then people start to take notice."

Sam Mayes makes his AFL debut for Brisbane with 21 disposals (15 kicks and 6 handballs), 10 marks and 2 tackles in a 2-point win over Gold Coast.

South Australian Sam Mayes is happy to find himself at a Queensland club and can't wait to get started with the Lions.

"He's a very good kick, that helps us in terms of delivery, but we feel he has the ability to move into the midfield after he develops his footy," Lions national recruiting manager Rob Kerr said.

"He'll have a big frame, he's quite quick and he shows signs of being able to get in and out of the game as well and will be a bit of a weapon with his versatility."