Mayo finds opportunity through injury

Subiaco key forward Jack Mayo was looking forward to getting a full season under his belt this year after coming back from a knee injury in 2021.

He had been working hard in the off-season to get his body right for the upcoming campaign, and had been solid during pre-season training.

However, after an incident in an intra club match, Mayo has begun the rehab process for his knee, after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.

He said it felt like an out of body experience.

“The way the ACL goes, it feels like the whole knee explodes,” Mayo said.

“As soon as I did it, I knew what it was and how severe it was.

Injuries are never a pleasant experience, but for Mayo it was shock that hit him first.

“I wasn't really in pain physically, more just mentally,” he said.

“To have an ACL repaired and then fail again means you've got a lot more chance of going again next time.”

The former Saint was one of the feel good stories in the club’s 2021 WAFL Premiership triumph.

After rupturing his left ACL during a practice match for St Kilda in 2020, the key forward returned to WA and to the Lions for the rehabilitation process.

Mayo worked hard and put the effort in, and made his playing return 12 months later, later forcing his way into the league side and claiming a premiership medal in the process.

He said his experience of undergoing rehab for an ACL had its benefits and detriments.

“I know that the ups and downs, the long road, the processes and the exercises, that'll certainly help,” Mayo said.

“I actually think this one's a bit harder mentally, to come back again.

“Last time it was good to just attack it and know that you're a year out, to have to go through it again, it hurts.”

Despite the setback, the 22-year-old said he’s optimistic about the process, and that he’ll take the extra time to get his knee right.

Mayo has already made moves to stay around the club this season, and will work with Subiaco’s reserves side as the backline coach. 

He said when League coach Beau Wardman offered him the role, the timing on both ends from the club and on his end worked out.

Mayo said the team gets another person helping out, but it also gives him more purpose to be at the club on a regular basis.

The premiership Lion said it’s an exciting crop of players coming through the backline.

“There's a lot of flair and a lot of learning to be done still, but I think I think they should be optimistic about the defenders coming through,” he said.

“There’s a couple of people who could impress this season and for years to come.”

Despite Subiaco’s disappointing start to the season, the 22-year-old said the side knows what they have to do going forward.

“It's important to recognize what we're doing wrong and be urgent about fixing them,” he said.

“But there's also a bit of patience, we’ll be right if we keep doing the team thing.

“We know what we're doing wrong, and we know what needs to improve.”

12 Lions have made their League debut in 2022, in an effort Mayo said is reflective of the depth and the need for opportunity at the highest level.

“The circumstances surrounding debutantes aren't as normal as they've always been, but to expose people to that level is important,” he said.

“I think it's going to hold the club in good stead going forward to expose as many people as possible to the level.

“Those players have certainly been deserving of a spot and glad to see them run out there.”

Along with his coaching role, Mayo is one of the hosts of the club’s new podcast “Locks’ Mayo” where he and vice-captain Jordan Lockyer go over all things Subiaco.

He said he hopes to bring some laughter to the Lions’ supporters, and hopes to show off some of the players in a casual setting away from the football field.

While Mayo’s injury is an unfortunate setback, he said he hopes to get his body right and get back to playing next season.