Chris Mayne hasn't missed a game since round 6. Credit:AAP

In the 2017 trade period Collingwood and Fremantle discussed the possibility of sending Chris Mayne back to Perth.

Just 12 months into into a four-year deal reportedly worth $2 million, the Pies even considered giving Freo a better draft pick than they would receive for sending Mayne – and the responsibility for paying his contract – back to WA.

The deal didn't happen and Mayne stayed put. The 29-year-old only played three games in 2017 –rounds one to three – before being stranded in the VFL the rest of the season. After another poor season where they missed the finals, the Mayne trade was seen by some as a deal symptomatic of Collingwood's struggles.

However, 13 games into 2018 with the Pies in the top four, Mayne has played every game since round six. With James Aish injured Mayne has stepped in on the wing and is holding his own.