Brisbane Lions star Cam Rayner has recounted the hilarious story of how he once crashed a club CEO’s car on his way home from a training session and why he hilariously told the footy boss not to complain about the damage.
The 25-year-old medium forward is now in his eighth season at the footy club and is enjoying one of his best years yet off the back of his side’s premiership-winning season in 2024.
Born and raised in Melbourne, Rayner would be drafted to the Queensland club as the No 1 pick of the 2017 draft.
The time between when a prospective player is picked at the AFL Draft to the moment they are heading out for their first training session is a very fast-paced process with club’s going to great lengths to ensure that players can move to their new club’s with ease.
Many young footy stars, particularly those travelling interstate, are given housing by their clubs, with other players or members of the management.
The move is designed to help them develop bonds around the club and Rayner, interestingly, moved to live with Brisbane CEO Greg Swann, who has been in the role since July 2024, having also spent time working as a CEO of Collingwood and Carlton.
Footy star Cam Rayner has opened up on how he once crashed a Brisbane Lions CEO’s car into a boom gate at the training ground
Rayner was living with CEO Greg Swann (pictured) at the time and had crashed Swann’s car into the gate
‘When I first moved up to Brisbane – Harley will know coming away from home – it’s pretty much, exam, drafted and then you’re gone,’ he began, speaking to Channel 9.
‘In between that little space, my birthday fell, so I went and got my licence and got up to Brisbane and that’s the first time driving by myself – without anyone else in the car.
‘Took Swanny’s car – the CEO, who I was living with at the time – and drove it into the club and on the way out took out the boom gate at the footy club.
‘I don’t think Swanny found it funny at the time… he was a little bit pissed off…’ he added laughing.
In the years following his arrival, the footy star has gone from strength to strength and is actualising his potential as one of the best young stars in the league.
Last season, he notably kicked 31 goals – including a major in the Grand Final – which was a career high tally for the forward.
Rayner was then pressed on what kind of car Swan had been driving, revealing: ‘It was a club car. So I was kind of like: “Mate, you’ve been handed that car anyway so don’t start complaining if I drive it into the boom gate”.’
He then revealed the funny exchange he had with the CEO, after revealing on the show how he revealed the news to him.
Rayner, speaking on Channel 9’s show Players, said that Swann had at first been apathetic about the car
Rayner jokingly added that he had told the footy chief not to complain about the damage stting he had been given it by the footy club as a company car
‘I went back to his house that night and we were having dinner,’ Rayner said.
Obviously, I like to have a bit of a joke and we’ve got a pretty good relationship and I said: “Mate, I’ve smashed your car into the boom gate”.
‘And he’s gone: “It’s gold mate,” and has just sat on the couch.
‘I’m like: “Nah seriously, go outside and have a look at your car, it’s got a smash through the front of it”.
‘He didn’t find it funny the second time, but obviously a good story to hold onto.’
Interestingly, footy fans last year hailed footy coach Chris Fagan for his leadership and insight after he had predicted Rayner would one day make up for a shocking missed attempt at a goal during the 2018 season.
The 25-year-old found redemption after he scuffed a shot in their round 20 clash against the Kangaroos in his first season at the club, which would have won the Lions the game.
Last year, he booted a match-winning kick against Geelong to help the Lions book their spot in the AFL Grand Final against the Swans.
‘I was pretty glad he had the ball in his hands in the dying stages to win a game of footy and, as a lot of our young players did, they stood up,’ Fagan said at the time.
‘They might have made some mistakes during that period, but it will stand them in good stead down the track, and I’m sure Cam Rayner in his career at this footy club will make up for that one over and over again.’
