Freo entered the game against Geelong as underdogs on the betting market, but the club waltzed into Simonds Stadium and left with a home preliminary final.
Mayne said senior coach Ross Lyon had created a strong, but calm, environment at the club in the week leading up to the game.
“We just knew that if we stuck to our guns, our actions, T1 and T2 of our training sessions, and then to get on the plane, (we’d) get there and get the job done,” Mayne said on 6PR’s Sports Today.
“Our meetings were sharp, our training was sharp and we were determined to get down there and get the job done.”
Preparing to play at ‘the Cattery’, which Geelong had turned into a fortress for almost a decade, was also high on the agenda.
“Throughout the week, we knew the crowd was going to be pretty hostile and loud, and we, with mental imagery, got ready for that moment,” Mayne said.
He said the feeling of confidence was evident as soon as the players had touched down at Avalon Airport.
“You could just see the focus and determination in everyone’s eyes,” he said.
That confidence carried right through to Simonds Stadium.
“The boys were just itching to get out there,” Mayne said.
“As soon as we came out as a group, we were ready to go and we were determined.”
