Pies meet with Payne at Burnie home as draft hopes rise

Collingwood officials travelled to Burnie on Friday to meet with draft hopeful Geordie Payne. And the premiers aren’t the only club who has flown into the Apple Isle to meet the teen shaping as a draft bolter.

Geordie Payne with the Jack Riewoldt Medal as the Tassie Devils’ best and fairest. Picture: Linda Higginson

Collingwood recruitment officials visited Burnie young gun Geordie Payne’s family home on Friday as his draft hopes continue to seemingly improve.

While plenty of interest has surrounded Tasmania talents expected to go high in the draft like Colby McKercher, Ryley Sanders and James Leake, a handful of clubs have travelled to the state to talk with Payne before Monday’s national draft.

Adelaide has reportedly shown strong interest, while Geelong, Western Bulldogs and Sydney have all travelled to meet Payne in Launceston.

The fact the Magpies were prepared to meet him in the northwest is an indicator the defending premier’s interest is genuine.

The 18-year-old won the Tasmania Devils’ player of the year, no easy task given they made the Coates Talent League preliminary finals for the second straight season.

Payne said meeting with AFL club representatives was daunting at first, but it gives him confidence he’s on the radar.

Geordie Payne competing in the Victoria AFL State Combine in Melbourne last month. (Photo by Martin Keep/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“To start with the first couple were a little nerve wracking, but now it’s not too bad. When I got the first call, I was like ‘wow I’m a chance’,” he said.

“Collingwood came to my house last Friday, just a couple of the recruitment guys. It was a bit scary.

“They said they like my competitiveness, that was the main thing. They (clubs) ask about your family, your background in life and what you do outside of footy.”

Payne played juniors with fellow draft hopeful Heath Ollington at Burnie Dockers, and moved to Wynyard two years ago.

Having come through the system as a forward, Cats coach Beau Sharman shifted Payne to halfback midway through last year.

Geordie Payne, Tasmania Devils Picture: Linda Higginson

He remained there at the Devils, and averaged over 18 touches at 76 per cent efficiency, five marks and five rebound 50s.

It’s a similar blueprint adopted by Carlton draftee Lachie Cowan, who got noticed by the Blues after his move to halfback with the Devils in 2022.

“About halfway through the year Beau sent me to the backline for a bit. Going to the Devils Jezza (coach Jeromey Webberley) decided to try it, and ever since I’ve always been at halfback.

“To start with I was a bit unsure, but after a couple of games I was all in.

“You can see the whole game from back there and there’s a bit more freedom in my game.

“I think intercept marking and winning the ball back is my strength. Maybe polishing up my skills is something I’m working on.”

Payne said he was shocked to win the Devils player of the year, six votes ahead of fellow northwest product Beau Nash.

“It was pretty surprising. Obviously Tassie’s got a few heavy end talents in the draft and I didn’t even expect to go close,” he said.

“At the State Combine it was the last chance to show what you can do, so I gave it everything I had.”