Struggling Collingwood forward Chris Mayne responded to suggestions he could be moved on but it was Richmond who had the last laugh with a 12-point win in the VFL elimination final on Saturday.
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Mayne was instrumental in the Magpies' strong finish with two final-term goals, helping his team erase a four-goal deficit and grab a one-point lead by the 23-minute mark.
A day after senior coach Nathan Buckley suggested Mayne's time may be up one year into a four-year contract worth $2 million, the former Docker snapped the goal of the day, then backed up with a mark and goal.
However, the Tigers responded late in the term, and Mayne missed a set shot which would have cut the lead to one point. Each side booted five goals in a thrilling final term.
Sam Lloyd was superb for the Tigers, having 33 disposals, including 20 contested, and could find himself in contention for a senior call-up for Friday night's AFL qualifying final against Geelong at the MCG. Anthony Miles was another to press for selection with 35 touches, including a goal.
"Our VFL program is really strong ... while a lot of guys would like to be playing AFL, it's nice to come back and play with those guys," Miles said.
Big men Shaun Hampson and Ivan Maric were also important in the win.
Magpie Jesse White was solid in what was his last match before retiring. He played 127 senior matches for the Swans and Pies.
Mayne, 27, has not been seen at senior level since round three. Buckley suggested on SEN on Friday that his recruitment had been in part through a mix-up in communication between Buckley and Graeme Allan, who had been the Pies' head of football briefly before he was suspended by the league for his role in the Lachie Whitfield affair.
"It's been a tough year for 'Mayney', and we've got some decisions to make going forward with that. It hasn't been a great result for the first 12 months," Buckley said.
Mayne's manager Colin Young told Fairfax Media on Friday that his client would remain at the club next year. He said Buckley had backed the recruitment of Mayne, who had been signed to add greater defensive pressure inside the Pies' attacking 50.
Mayne's father Steve had taken to social media to attack Buckley's comments.
Buckley watched the elimination final at North Port Oval.
In the VFL qualifying final on Saturday, Williamstown defeated Casey by 43 points.
