How Chris Mayne went from VFL discard to a key member of Collingwood’s team

Chris Mayne is so secure in Collingwood’s team he is one of the first players picked with the frizzy-haired former Docker completing one of football’s biggest redemption stories.

Chris Mayne was all smiles after playing a key role in Collingwood’s win over Richmond. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images.

Chris Mayne is so secure in Collingwood’s team he is one of the first players picked with the frizzy-haired former Fremantle forward completing one of football’s biggest redemption stories.

Mayne, 30, was dumped to the VFL just three games into his $2 million four-year contract at the Magpies in 2017 and was still languishing in the reserves 12 months ago.

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But Mayne worked his way back into coach Nathan Buckley’s team in Round 6 last year and hasn’t looked back, smashing his career-best disposals record with 33 touches in Thursday night’s 44-point win against Richmond.

Chris Mayne was all smiles after playing a key role in Collingwood’s win over Richmond. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images.

“For me he’s that guy who you just feel so safe (playing with),” Magpies captain Scott Pendlebury told the Herald Sun.

“You look there and no matter what role he’s doing he’s so diligent and he executes it.

“(Against Richmond) it was his turn to get a bit of the footy but you know next week if you need him to go do a role he’ll do that.

“He’s the ultimate team man and one of the first guys picked.”

Pendlebury and Mayne combined for a classy goal 25 seconds into the third quarter with a beautiful handball from the skipper finding Mayne in space.

“I’ve just seen him out of the corner of my eye,” Pendlebury said.

“I’m not sure why I actually handballed to him, I was going on my left and I made him jam up a little bit on his right but he was good enough to finish.”

Mayne’s hot start to the Round 2 win — he had five disposals minutes into the game — set the tone for the Magpies while he laid 14 tackles in last year’s Grand Final against West Coast.

Chris Mayne dashes forward for Collingwood during Thursday’s win over Richmond.

Chris Mayne presses his case for a re-call in the VFL in 2017. Picture: Michael Klein

The Magpies again host the Eagles at the MCG this week but Pendlebury dismissed talk a win in the Grand Final rematch would be extra sweet.

“I just want to get the four points, if we win it doesn’t mean anything more — we can’t get the granny back,” he said.

“That’s what everyone’s going to talk about all week — Grand Final rematch — but for us it’s just Round 3.”

Scott Pendlebury says grand final revenge will not be on the minds of Collingwood players when they face West Coast this weekend. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

The Pies’ deep midfield has been lauded as one of the best the game has ever seen with 2012 Copeland Trophy winner Dayne Beams returning to the club.

“It’s fantastic to have him,” Pendlebury said.

“There’s me, Beamsy’s a great leader out there, Adsy (Adam Treloar) — we’re at a good age bracket where we understand it’s not just about one guy.

“It’s how we play as a collective and we want to be known for the best midfield group not the best midfield players.

“Everyone’s got to sacrifice a little bit, let’s work for each other and bring each other’s strengths to the table.”

Pendlebury said the new 6-6-6- rule hadn’t made much of a difference.

“There’s a little bit (more space) at centre bounce but it’s just a moment of time. Literally within five seconds we’re back into teams running structures.”