How Chris Mayne salvaged his career after a nightmare start at Collingwood

CHRIS Mayne has revealed the depths of his first miserable year at Collingwood, saying the faith of his fiance Britt and a dramatic off-season fitness program helped save his football career.

Chris Mayne has rejuvenated his career at Collingwood. Picture: Michael Klein

CHRIS Mayne has revealed the depths of his first miserable year at Collingwood, saying the faith of his fiance Britt and a dramatic off-season fitness program helped save his football career.

The former Fremantle forward endured a nightmarish first year, savaged over his lucrative contract and ending the year with his father in a Twitter spat with Nathan Buckley over his treatment.

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Chris Mayne has rejuvenated his career at Collingwood. Picture: Michael Klein

Mayne only got into the Collingwood side this year because of a four-day break after Anzac Day but hasn’t missed a game since, playing a key shutdown role on Jeremy McGovern in last weekend’s narrow finals loss.

He said yesterday when the criticism was at its worst last year he effectively shut himself off from the football world — shutting off all social media and cancelling the newspapers.

Fiance Britt also played a key role as he hired a running coach over the summer and smashed himself with a fitness program instead of enjoying the club’s eight-week break.

“It was extremely tough but I think it took halfway through the year when my partner deleted the AFL app, got rid of the papers, got rid of all social media and stopped listening to the white noise,’’ he said.

“People didn’t know my circumstances, didn’t know my family or partner’s circumstances, and not only was it sucky in a way I had to deal with it but my mum and dad had to deal with it at home, my partner is here and we have no family or support so it was really tough.

Mayne spent most of his first season at Collingwood in the club’s VFL affiliate. Picture: Michael Klein

“So when I got to the end of the year it was what can I do to put myself in the best shape and head space to be part of this team.

“We didn’t go away on holiday, we stayed here and I worked with a running coach, at a gym close by with two people and Britt was there the whole way.”

He and Britt will wed in October, Mayne aware if the Pies can knock over GWS it could be the start of a perfect year.

“It’s been great so far, but it can be even better. It would be a great end to the year, win a premiership, get married, go on a honeymoon and then start on the little ones,’’ he said.

“I have always envisioned myself having all those so hopefully I can do it this year but if not this year next year.

“Being a part of the AFL is great but it’s definitely an aspiration to be a premiership player.”

Mayne is now a vital member of Nathan Buckley’s finals squad. Picture: Getty Images

The finals run has also been reward for his parents, including father Steve, who tweeted last year his son had been thrown under a bus by Buckley when he refused to play him.

“Yeah that was well publicised, but Dad has always had my best interests at heart but him and mum found it pretty tough,’’ Mayne said.

“They couldn’t be here, Dad would get a phone call and I would have a chat to him and everyone found it tough and little things vent.

“But the big thing about it is not only my friends and family and partner but everyone around me backed me in to work hard through the adversity.”

Mayne has been praised for his forward pressure and attack on the ball. Picture: Michael Klein