NEW Port Adelaide recruit Sam Mayes was already familiar with the journey to Alberton from his family home, long before he signed with the club during the 2018 trade period.
The former Brisbane midfielder had made the trip to Brougham Place numerous times whenever he was visiting his family in his home state.
Mayes’ trail is one blazed by his older brother Ben, who has been working for the club since 2013.
Ben Mayes, 30, has been a Chef’s assistant and general worker at the Port Club, primarily working on functions for the past five years.
“We had a family friend who knew the former Licence and Operation Manager at the Port Club so they helped me get the job,” Ben said.
“I’m probably the only one still here since then.
“I’m usually doing a lot of function prep, so not working in the bistro, and I really enjoy it.”
While he admits he had some idea that Sam was a chance of returning to Adelaide at the end of last season, Ben says the trade to Port Adelaide still caught him off guard.
“I was a little surprised to be honest, even though I had a little idea that it might happen,” he said through a grin.
“We don’t bump into each other that much, though, he’s usually gone by the time I’m here.”
Sam says he is working on making Ben a Port Adelaide supporter with the oldest of the Mayes brothers more into V8 supercars than football.
It’s a strong family unit in the Mayes household, and it has needed to be in recent times with Ben, 30, Chad, 27 and Sam and his twin sister Tess, 24, all living at home with their parents at the moment.
“I’m just staying with Mum and Dad just until my partner Cass and I find a house to move into,” Sam clarifies.
“All the family is at home so it’s pretty chaotic after living away for six years.
“It’s weird though because I’ve come back and I just feel comfortable straight away.”
View this post on InstagramHappy 60th Ma! Not often we get all the fam together, always a special occasion
Sam Mayes says having the family unit around him has made the transition between states and clubs much easier.
And he says it has helped him reconnect with Ben, who was born with growth and intellectual disabilities.
“In the past six years when I have been back to Adelaide for holidays and the
“Mum and Dad are always busy with work and so are my siblings and I have always tried to help him out.
“He’s one of the funniest blokes ever and everyone I know that has come across him knows he’s just a personality, he loves talking to people and he’s always making them laugh.”
While football has helped bring them back together, it was V8 Supercars that kept them connected while they were apart.
“He doesn’t really watch footy, his biggest passion is probably the Supercars,” Sam explained.
“It was interesting because my partner Cass was working with Red Bull Holden with Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup, Shane van Gisbergen and his favourite driver since he was a little kid was Craig Lowndes so for the last year and a bit he’s been able to meet them and get photos and stuff so he’s been in his element.”
“I’ll try and convert him though – he just follows me and our other siblings in whatever they do.”
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