In his acceptance speech, it was clear who the two most significant people in his football career were.
“My mum and dad, especially for the support they have given me since I’ve been a kid growing up playing football. My mum has never missed a game, whether she has been ill or not, she has always been there for me, and so has my dad. The bond that I have with him is something to really cherish,” Mayne told the audience.
Father Stephen, who Chris says he gets his large quads from, and mother Leanne were great athletes in their own right in their youth.
Stephen was a talented footballer and cricketer, while Leanne excelled at netball.
But the arrival of baby Mayne in 1988 changed their priorities, so sport had to take a back seat.
Their son, now 24 and about to play his 100th game of AFL football, is well aware of, and forever grateful, for the sacrifices his parents made for him.
“They’ve given up something that was important to them, dad with cricket and footy, and mum with netball,” Chris said.
“I think my dad could have really gone somewhere in sport, but they had me at a very young age and their dreams had to go on hold and they had to raise me.”
It’s through his blossoming AFL career that Chris believes his parents now get to live what was once their dream.
“I think what they see in me is a little bit of what they could have maybe achieved in life,” he said.
It’s no wonder Chris Mayne gave such a heartfelt speech about his parents on Doig Medal night.
“I always cherish what my mum and dad have done for me throughout my sporting career,” he said.
“To have me at a young age and make me the number one focus, every moment I get to live my dream, I just want to do them proud because of everything they’ve done for me.”
