Tasmanian Geordie Payne drafted to North Melbourne as pipeline of talent grows

The mid-season No. 1 pick Geordie Payne is off to the Roos, and there’s plenty more Tasmanian talent coming. JON RALPH looks at a powerful recruiting source the Devils will soon have.

Tasmania Devils Under-18 coach Jeromey Webberley says brilliant 19-year-old mid-season selection Geordie Payne is “absolutely” capable of a senior debut in coming weeks after his explosive Coates League campaign this year.

And he says the pipeline of Tasmanian talent will only grow in coming years as young footballers from the state see the opportunity ahead of them with a new AFL team in 2028.

Payne played in the same Coates League team as top ten picks Colby McKercher (North Melbourne), Ryley Sanders (Western Bulldogs), James Leake (GWS) and Arie Schoenmaker (St Kilda).

As a bottom-ager he played with Richmond’s Seth Campbell and Carlton’s Lachie Cowan, with Sam Banks, Chayce Jones, Tarryn Thomas and Ryan Gardner all Tasmanian graduates in recent years.

Geordie Payne has been drafted to North Melbourne. Picture: Grant Viney

One day the Tasmanian AFL team will have full access to the state as an academy and if players like Payne are any indication it will be a powerful recruiting source.

The Burnie builders apprentice was exceptional last year as rebounding half back before being pushed to half forward with brilliant results this year.

Webberley says it is only the most recent example of Tasmanian football “punching above its weight” given its population and has no doubt he can play plenty of senior football this year

“He is a ready-made player right now. He’s got elite power and speed, he has agility and he’s got a frame now that will allow him to have AFL impact,” Webberley said.

He played pretty much every game last year at half back as an interceptor and he can play taller with his height. He has speed so he can play on the smaller, nippy guys. And he plays the right way, so half back sets him up best with the way he plays but you know you can move him forward too.

Payne in action for the Devils. Picture: Linda Higginson/Solstice Digital

“He is the type of player that coaches, supporters and teammates love. He plays with such energy and you can put him anywhere on the ground and he will respond.”

Under the AFL’s planned list allowances for the Tasmanian team all players born in that state would be linked to the new list under a bidding system.

Webberley says it will be a powerful part of the club’s list build given the strong recent record of players being drafted to AFL lists.

“Tasmanians have always had to leave their home state to further their footy aspirations. So to play with their own team in their own state would be awesome. Not just for players who endeavour to reach their AFL dream but just for kids playing sports. So many good things come from that from physical and mental development. It’s fantastic for them to play sport and even better to play AFL. So to have our own team would be awesome.”

Originally published as Tasmanian Geordie Payne drafted to North Melbourne as pipeline of talent grows