North Adelaide midfielder Sam Mayes has announced his retirement from football after 39 games for the Roosters, interrupted by a nine-year stint at AFL level.

The former Brisbane Lions and Port Adelaide veteran played 121 AFL games between 2013 and 2022 after being drafted by the Lions with Pick 8 in the 2012 National Draft.

Originally from Port Pirie in South Australia's mid-north, Mayes earned U18 All-Australian selection as a bottom-ager in 2011 before serving as South Australia's vice-captain in 2012.

Mayes played 22 league games for North Adelaide before being recruited to Queensland as an early selection for the Lions.

He collected a Rising Star nomination in his first year at the Lions and finished in the top 10 of the club's best and fairest.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 10: Sam Mayes of the Lions celebrates a goal during the round 20 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Adelaide Crows at The Gabba on August 10, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Playing most of his junior football as a lead-up forward, Mayes found a role for himself as an attacking rebound defender, enjoying a career-best year in 2017 averaging 21 disposals per game to finish in the top five of the best and fairest.

Falling out of favour at the Lions, Mayes was traded to Port Adelaide at the end of 2018, playing an additional 20 games across five seasons as he struggled to break into a strong Power side.

He played 39 SANFL games while at Port Adelaide and won the Fos Williams Memorial Trophy as the Magpies' most dedicated player in 2019, playing 20 games including the grand final loss to Glenelg in which he was one of Port's best.

After being delisted by the Power at the end of 2022, Mayes returned to North Adelaide and slotted straight into the Roosters' midfield, averaging 21 disposals and five clearances per game.

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His time back at Prospect was interrupted by injury, playing 17 games across two seasons as he battled consistent concussion problems.

Another head knock at training following the Round 8 victory over South Adelaide caused ongoing concussion symptoms and ruled him out for the season, leading to his retirement decision at the club's best and fairest last week.

Mayes' retirement comes after fellow club stalwarts Campbell Combe and Sam McInerney also hung up the boots at the Roosters, leaving the club with some recruiting to do over the off-season.