AFL: Collingwood veteran Chris Mayne retires after 14-year career 

‘The time is right’: Collingwood Magpies veteran Chris Mayne calls time on 14-year AFL career

Collingwood veteran Chris Mayne will bring his 14-year AFL career to a close at the end of this season.

The 32-year-old informed teammates of the decision on Tuesday and will see out the final three matches of the Magpies’ campaign.

‘The time is right, personally and professionally,’ Mayne said.

Collingwood veteran Chris Mayne (pictured on July 4) will bring his 14-year AFL career to a close at the end of this season. The 32-year-old informed teammates of the decision on Tuesday and will see out the final three matches of the Magpies’ campaign

‘From a family perspective, Britt and I have two young children and we want them to settle and share more time with our families in Perth.

‘From a football perspective, I don’t feel that I can squeeze much more out of myself.

‘I still love the game and want to continue trying to get a kick at some level next year but at the highest level I recognise it’s getting tougher, not easier.’

Mayne made a name for himself as a sharpshooting forward with Fremantle, where he played 172 games and kicked 196 goals, and featured in the club’s 2013 grand final defeat.

He was granted a trade to Collingwood at the end of 2016 and endured a tough start to life in black-and-white, managing just three senior games in his first season with the Magpies.

But he reinvented himself as a wingman under Nathan Buckley and was an important part of the Collingwood team that went within a kick of winning the 2018 grand final.

Mayne has played 73 games for the Magpies for a career tally of 245.

Mayne will complete a teaching degree next year, has finished a diploma in youth counselling and has graduated from the Level 3 AFL coaching course and the AFL List management course.

‘We all know the last match is coming (and) I didn’t want to be caught short or unprepared,’ he said.

‘I hope that I can pass on my experiences as a player, at two wonderful clubs, in some fashion. As I said, I still love the game.’

Mayne was originally selected by Fremantle with pick 40 in the 2007 draft from WAFL club Perth.

Mayne has played 73 games for the Magpies for a career tally of 245. Pictured on July 31

Mayne has played 73 games for the Magpies for a career tally of 245. Pictured on July 31

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