NOTHING proves more that absence makes the heart grow fonder, than seeing Mackenzie Mayne at the bottom of a football pack each Saturday.
That’s because the Imperials midfielder, who is based in Carlton, chooses to head straight from his construction job every Friday to fly to see his family and friends, and play football at his old club.
Mayne, who has played with University Blues since 2018, said not being able to visit during COVID had been a “big factor” in his decision to reunite with Imperials.
“The fact that mum and dad are still here, it’s a very real drawcard,” Mayne said.
While the weekly commute would make some baulk, Mayne said the “timing was perfect” to be with his immediate family and football family while he was young enough to make the effort.
“My family’s been involved in the club since I was born. Weekends in winter just revolved around the footy club for as long as I could remember.
“I went to watch dad, then once I got old enough, I played Auskick all the way through to seniors. So, it’s good to get back and have a run around in the team’s colours again.”
Mayne has shown that his only commitment now is to scrap his way to the ball in contested footy, and the 24-year-old has proved reliable in his endeavour, finishing in Imperials’ best five times in seven matches.
At the weekend, Mayne was prominent around the ground as Imperials held a half-time lead in a dour contest with Irymple before the Swallows pulled away in the fourth quarter.
The 176cm ball magnet said he only needed one conversation with new coach Mark Wheatley, who encouraged Mayne to continue play the team-first football that he loved to play.
“I’ve always been a shorter bloke than most, so being at the bottom of the pack is sort of my go-to,” Mayne said.
“I’ve always been that in and under (type) and not so much the skilful, flashy outside type.
“That’s pretty much a focus for me and Wheaters (Wheatley) – he calls it my one wood, so I guess that’s what I can bring most weeks.”
Mayne said he had modelled his game on his father, Wayne, who told him, ‘If the ball is there, go and get it”.
But the prolific ball-getter said he has also learned from other hard-ball getters: Brad, Ryan and Colby Hards.
Although his family prompted his return; it is winning that will make the weekly travel “a lot easier”, Mackenzie said.
Imperials, who finished the 2021 SFNL season as one of the premiership favourites, will need a strong second half of the year as they are destined to finish outside the top-four at the half-way mark of the season.
Mackenzie said he was drawn to Imperials’ values of “team-first footy” and believed if everyone tackled, chased and smothered, the Imperials could “trust” the system to get the job done.
As the Holcroft Lawyers Footballer of the Week, Mayne receives $125 from Holcroft Lawyers, 143 Langtree Avenue, Mildura, and is in the running to be the Holcroft Lawyers Footballer Of The Year.
