North-west youngster Geordie Payne a draft hope after meeting with AFL clubs

The likes of Colby McKercher and Ryley Sanders are getting plenty of hype, but an “unassuming” AFL draft hope from the Tasmania’s North-West has attracted interest from at least three clubs.

Wynyard’s Geordie Payne performed strongly at the State AFL Combine. Picture: Linda Higginson

Wynyard product Geordie Payne’s shift to half-back this season has him firming as an AFL Draft hope, with three clubs travelling to Tasmania to meet with the highly skilled youngster.

Determined to prove a point after he was overlooked for the National Draft Combine, Payne put up impressive numbers in testing at the State Combine in Melbourne on Sunday.

Payne, who turns 18 next month, has had discussions with Adelaide - whose recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie is a former Tassie Mariners coach – as well as Geelong and Sydney.

He began his football career as a forward, but Wynyard Cats coach Beau Sharman believed he had the attributes to be a gun half-back.

His testing numbers at the state combine backed that up. He finished equal second in vertical jump (72cm), equal fifth in running vertical jump (86cm), third in agility (8.34 secs) and third in 20 metre sprint (2.981 secs).

Geordie Payne completes the agility test during the 2023 Victoria AFL State Combine. (Photo by Martin Keep/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“He showed some really good talent as a forward, but over time we thought he had the qualities of a decent half-back flanker,” Sharman said.

“We tried him there early last year and he’s never really looked back. The half-back line for the Devils program (including Carlton draftee Lachie Cowan) was pretty hard to get into. “There was no doubting his talent there, and my constant hounding with a couple of coaches there helped get him a start at half-back.

“The way he covers the ground as well as his ability to read the play makes him a great halfback flanker.”

AFL club’s interest in Payne has been strong enough for them to jump on a plane to meet him.

“He’s had a few meetings with clubs. We’ve lost him a few times for training to drive to Launceston to meet with a couple of clubs,” Sharman said.

“I think Adelaide are pretty interested in him, and Sydney and Geelong have come down and met with Geordie.

“Adelaide’s had a few guys from Tassie go there. He (Ogilvie) always keeps an eye on the Tassie guys, hopefully he can look after one more.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 8: Geordie Payne completes the 2km time trial during the 2023 Victoria AFL State Combin. (Photo by Martin Keep/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Sharman said being overlooked for the top Draft Combine spurred Payne on, who produced some brilliant football in the back half of the year.

“I was very surprised when he wasn’t in the initial combine, and disappointed for him,” Sharman said.

“I think he felt that as well, but over the next few weeks he just put his mind to playing well, and he played some really good footy which smashed down the door.

“He’s trained really hard the last month and got himself in good condition to compete at the combine and do really well. I’m pretty proud of him really.

“He’s pretty unassuming, not too much worries him. He’s a confident kid but not arrogant, always willing to listen and learn, which is one of his great strengths.”

Launceston key defender Arie Schoenmaker also shone at the national combine. Known for his superb long left boot, Schoenmaker’s 6:25 2km time trial impressed onlookers.

Leading northern talents Colby McKercher, Ryley Sanders and James Leake all didn’t test.