Wrote this in the 'Who do we realistically target' thread, but thought I'd give him his on thread.

With our need for an outside runner with good ball use, how about Sam Mayes from Brisbane?

Was mentioned on The Wash Up as being out of favor. Was a highly rated junior  (Viney's year), so maybe a change of locations would help plus playing in a better team?

Given we don't have much to trade with this year, maybe we could get him for a future 3rd rounder?

http://www.lions.com.au/player-profile/sam-mayes

Cal Twomeys write up on him in his draft year: http://www.afc.com.au/news/2012-11-20/aflcomaus-phantom-draft

 

Yes out of favour. Definitely talented. I agree to offer pick swaps. Maybe 2019 3rd Round is fair. 

He looks like a budget version of Gaff  He shall be known as Budget Gaff from this day forward!

Edited September 2, 20186 yr by johndemonic

The bloke couldn't get a run with a bottom four side.  Why would we look at him?

I think we've moved past taking rejects that can't crack a game at their club.  Lately we've generally recruited players like Lever, Melksham, Hibberd etc who were all established players, or taken punts on players (like Balic) who only had a year or two in the system.  Mayes has had plenty of time in the system and not done a whole lot with it.

I can't see us having any interest in him at all.

Pass. Not up to it.

I wouldn't want him.

Isn't a bad player, but isn't the 'elite' ball user he was projected to be and tends to just coast through the games, not having a huge impact but not doing all that much wrong by the same token.

  On 02/09/2018 at 11:00, Wiseblood said:

The bloke couldn't get a run with a bottom four side.  Why would we look at him?

I think we've moved past taking rejects that can't crack a game at their club.  Lately we've generally recruited players like Lever, Melksham, Hibberd etc who were all established players, or taken punts on players (like Balic) who only had a year or two in the system.  Mayes has had plenty of time in the system and not done a whole lot with it.

I can't see us having any interest in him at all.

Melksham had played 114 games in 6 years at Essendon averaging approx 16.35 disposals in a middling club playing mid/hbf.

Sam Mayes has played 101 games in 6 years at Brisbane (95 in 5 before this year) averaging approx 17.45 disposals in a middling to poor club playing hff/hbf.

Very few were keen on Melksham when he came to the club. It's about identifying a specific type of player to address specific needs if they have the correct tools and our environment is able to let them get the best out of themselves.

Just think he could be an old diamond in the rough.

  On 03/09/2018 at 11:10, MadAsHell said:

Melksham had played 114 games in 6 years at Essendon averaging approx 16.35 disposals in a middling club playing mid/hbf.

Sam Mayes has played 101 games in 6 years at Brisbane (95 in 5 before this year) averaging approx 17.45 disposals in a middling to poor club playing hff/hbf.

Very few were keen on Melksham when he came to the club. It's about identifying a specific type of player to address specific needs if they have the correct tools and our environment is able to let them get the best out of themselves.

Just think he could be an old diamond in the rough.

Maybe, but prior to Melksham coming to the club he was still a best 22 player.  Sam Mayes is barely a best 30 player at the Lions.  That's a big difference to me.  Not to mention the inside knowledge Goodwin had of Melksham before we traded for him.  He knew exactly what we were getting and we are now reaping the rewards of that.  We don't have the same intel or knowledge on Mayes.

And it's for that reason that I can't see the club pursuing him in any manner over the off season.

Sounds like Mayes' problems might be more in the mind than with ability, regardless of best 22 or 30 at Brisbane. If Goodwin and the FD think that he's worth it, I'd back them to turn him around. We have an infectious culture growing at the club (not talking about the changroom showers) and blokes like Macca who can change a player's habits and mindset pretty quickly.

  On 04/09/2018 at 01:37, Moonshadow said:

Sounds like Mayes' problems might be more in the mind than with ability, regardless of best 22 or 30 at Brisbane. If Goodwin and the FD think that he's worth it, I'd back them to turn him around. We have an infectious culture growing at the club (not talking about the changroom showers) and blokes like Macca who can change a player's habits and mindset pretty quickly.

I'd back them in too, Moonie.  If they recruited him and wanted to use him off half back then I'd get behind the decision - after all, our track record of late has been terrific and, as you say, our culture and development has improved out of sight.

I'd still be super surprised if we had any interest in him but if we did then I'd support the decision based on our track record from the last few seasons.

  On 04/09/2018 at 03:55, Wiseblood said:

I'd back them in too, Moonie.  If they recruited him and wanted to use him off half back then I'd get behind the decision - after all, our track record of late has been terrific and, as you say, our culture and development has improved out of sight.

I'd still be super surprised if we had any interest in him but if we did then I'd support the decision based on our track record from the last few seasons.

Agree. Perhaps Mayes really needs exposure to culture, leadership and standards that he's lacked at Brisbane. After watching Zorko's childish carry on against the Suns and seeing good players leave over the last 5 years, it's no wonder they pulled a geriatric ex-Hawk captain out of retirement

had reasonably strong seasons in 2016 and 2017, but fell off the cliff this year in terms of games and impact on them when he did play

be interesting to see what he is worth

One thing that might also work against us looking at Mayes is his hardness around the contest.  We know how Goody likes his players to work super hard, put pressure on, lay tackles etc. and I don't think Mayes brings this on game day.  It's why Garlett can barely get a look in these days.

For a quick comparison, I looked at Christian Salem's stats compared to Mayes' stats from 2017, which is the last time he played a full season and both these players spend most of their time at half back.  Salem has had 78 tackles for the year.  In 2017, playing across half back, Mayes had just 38.  That's less than 2 a game.

I know that's a very small sample size, but I just don't think Mayes really fits the profile of a player Goodwin would be interested in.

I just want to stick an edit in here as I feel some might think I cherry picked a little with Salem as he is pretty tough around the contest.  So I looked at Jayden Hunt as well, who in 2017 played pretty much the whole year off half back.  He had 69 tackles. 

Edited September 5, 20186 yr by Wiseblood

  On 05/09/2018 at 23:45, Wiseblood said:

One thing that might also work against us looking at Mayes is his hardness around the contest.  We know how Goody likes his players to work super hard, put pressure on, lay tackles etc. and I don't think Mayes brings this on game day.  It's why Garlett can barely get a look in these days.

For a quick comparison, I looked at Christian Salem's stats compared to Mayes' stats from 2017, which is the last time he played a full season and both these players spend most of their time at half back.  Salem has had 78 tackles for the year.  In 2017, playing across half back, Mayes had just 38.  That's less than 2 a game.

I know that's a very small sample size, but I just don't think Mayes really fits the profile of a player Goodwin would be interested in.

I just want to stick an edit in here as I feel some might think I cherry picked a little with Salem as he is pretty tough around the contest.  So I looked at Jayden Hunt as well, who in 2017 played pretty much the whole year off half back.  He had 69 tackles. 

Do you think tackling pressure can be taught to a young player? Do you think our FD would be good at doing this? 

If the answer is yes, then those numbers could be seen as a baseline for improvement rather than the standard to expect.

IMHO the just delisted Jake Barrett would be a handy pick up from Brisbane. I have seen him at both NEAFL & AFL level this year and he is a hard and tough uncompromising young footballer who I believe might thrive at a more successful club.

  On 06/09/2018 at 04:58, Moonshadow said:

Do you think tackling pressure can be taught to a young player? Do you think our FD would be good at doing this? 

If the answer is yes, then those numbers could be seen as a baseline for improvement rather than the standard to expect.

He has been in the system for 6 years now and there is nothing to suggest that output will change. I'd agree otherwise, but he has been playing AFL for long enough to show more than he has. I can't see Goodwin being interested but I've been wrong before. 

  On 06/09/2018 at 08:30, Wiseblood said:

He has been in the system for 6 years now and there is nothing to suggest that output will change. I'd agree otherwise, but he has been playing AFL for long enough to show more than he has. I can't see Goodwin being interested but I've been wrong before. 

Nooooooo!!!!! ?

Officially on the market.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-26/lions-utility-open-to-exploring-other-options

Pass

Could probably get Toumpas too.

He’s played some strong footy at AFL level as recently as 2017 so I think it’s worth doing some due diligence as to why his form has dropped off. 

If there is a realistic chance of him returning to his best form or even improving on that and he’d come at minimal cost I think it’s worth exploring. 

Bit like balic last year, it’s low risk but he does have some upside depending on the reasons for his form drop off 

  On 02/09/2018 at 10:33, johndemonic said:

He looks like a budget version of Gaff  He shall be known as Budget Gaff from this day forward!

NQGaff?

Ive always rated him.

He would (or should be cheap) and would happily have him taking Bugg/Kent’s spot on our list.

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-26/lions-utility-open-to-exploring-other-options

He looks like he is on the move. SA is preference, but open to move anywhere.

 

Surprised to see he came 5th in their BnF last year and not that far off second, haven't watched him enough though:

Brisbane - Merrett-Murray Medal

WINNER: Dayne Zorko (277)

2. Dayne Beams (224)
3. Tom Rockliff (214)
4. Stefan Martin (202)
5. Sam Mayes (200)
6. Daniel Rich (199)
7. Lewis Taylor (197)
8. Harris Andrews (180)
9. Ryan Lester (177)
=10. Darcy Gardiner (143)
=10. Eric Hipwood (143)