How lessons learned drove Payne to AFL dream

The lessons learned from falling just short of being selected in last year’s draft drove north-west product Geordie Payne’s quest to realise his AFL dream in this week’s mid-season draft.

Geordie Payne was chosen by North Melbourne in Wednesday’s mid-season draft. Picture Grant Viney

Tasmania’s newest AFL star says the disappointment of being overlooked in last year’s draft fuelled the fire to give recruiters little choice but to give him a chance.

Wynyard product Geordie Payne was thought to be a strong chance to be picked up last November, but had to wait until Wednesday night when he was taken by North Melbourne with the first pick of the mid-season draft.

After holding talks with Collingwood, Adelaide, Geelong and Sydney, Payne realised he had to work even harder and that mindset has resulted in spectacular Coates Talent League form for the Devils.

“When it (draft) didn’t go my way I just had to reflect, and it came back to the work I’d done wasn’t quite enough,” Payne said.

“I just had to implement new things and work on small parts of my game. That’s showed off the last few months.

“It’s definitely a relief and something I’ve always dreamt of. To hear my name last night I’m just soaking in the moment, and next week I’m ready to get to work.

“Definitely endurance was something I had to work on and just a few skill things and versatility.”

Payne won the Devils player of the year in 2023 playing at halfback, but a shift to a forward/inside mid hybrid this season has shown AFL scouts his full array of skills.

“I was always definitely confident, you see nowadays you see people up to 24 (years old) get drafted,” he said.

“I knew I had time and was good enough, I just had to keep pushing for it.

“I had a few clubs who wanted to see me as a forward, and other clubs who wanted to see me as an inside mid.

“I think they just felt as though the role I played this year suits my strengths better than I played last year.”

North Melbourne's newest recruit Geordie Payne catches up with fellow Roo and former Devils teammate Colby McKercher on Thursday. Picture: North Melbourne FC

Payne said his discussions with clubs before November’s draft opened his eyes to the levels he needed to reach to realise his AFL dream.

“The first few interviews I started to get an idea of how professional the AFL is, and how big a step up it is,” he said.

“It’s about preparing myself mentally and physically for those challenges.

“The role (in the AFL) is just going to be applying pressure and using my aggression. That’s one of my biggest strengths, it’s just taking those strengths to the AFL.

“I think my best position is the third forward who can go in the air or on the ground, and bring physicality and pressure.

Payne said he would lean on last year’s number two draft pick, former Devils teammate Colby McKercher as he settles into AFL life.

Geordie Payne went at pick one in the mid season draft. Picture Grant Viney

“It’s definitely something that’s going to comfort me, having someone like Colby I know and can fall back to,” he said.

“Just the comfort side the first few days there, having him there is definitely going to make it a lot easier for me.

“He’s actually on the way to my house in about 20 minutes (Thursday afternoon), he might give me some advice when he gets here.”