Wynyard draft hopeful crowned the Devils’ best and fairest

He’s attracting interest from some AFL clubs, and a Wynyard product’s strong form for the Devils was recognised with their top gong on Saturday.

Tasmania Devils Coates Talent League best and fairest winners, Geordie Payne and Meg Harrison. Picture: Linda Higginson

Tasmania Devils coach Jeromey Webberley hopes Geordie Payne’s competitiveness will hold him in good stead come the AFL Draft after he was crowned the team’s best and fairest on Saturday.

Initially a forward, Payne was shifted to half-back at Wynyard late last year, and found a home in the same position for the Devils this year.

It has paid off given he is now a serious draft contender after attending last week’s State Combine in Melbourne, and three AFL clubs have travelled to Tasmania to meet with him.

Payne (103 votest) edged out another north-west product Beau Nash (Devonport, 97) to claim the Jack Riewoldt Medal, with North Launceston key defender Oscra Van Dam (96) third.

Payne also captained the Devils, who made a second straight Coates Talent League preliminary final, when the side’s big guns were on Allies duty.

“The thing we love about Geordie is his ability to win the ball back, or to win contest on the air or on the ground, and he’s extremely competitive,” Webberley said.

“At Wynyward late last year he started to play some games behind the ball and we thought we’d try him there this year.

“One of the great strengths of our group this year was our flexibility across all lines, and Geordie was one of those.

Geordie Payne, Tasmania Devils Picture: Linda Higginson

“He kicked goals for us last year, and played a bit of inside mid when we needed him this year.

“That’s because his game is built off the contest, his aggression and competitiveness.”

Webberley also praised top draft prospect and Allies representative Arie Schoenmaker for returning a better player and person after he was banned for ten weeks for an alcohol related indiscretion.

The Launceston key defender returned better than ever and was named the Devils best player of the finals.

“It was a challenging period for Arie, but he went away and worked on himself,” Webberley said.

“He’s come back a better version of himself and to be honest, he’s come back a better player. “That’s all credit to him, he’s the one who’s got the job done and I’m really proud of him. He’s the main driving force behind it.”

The girls player of the year was won by winger Meg Harrison (111 votes), ahead of Kingborough teammate Mackenzie Ford (103).

“She has a great athletic profile, is super diligent with her training and the ultimate role player,” Webberley said.

“She’ll be in her 18th year next year and will be one to watch out for.”

The under-16 boys best and fairest (Grant Birchall Medal) was won by North Launceston’s Jasper Hay (38) ahead of South Launceston’s Lucas Wootton (36), while East Launceston’s Harriet Bingley (30) edged out Launceston’s Jorja Haberle (29) in under-16 girls.

AWARDS

Talent League boys

Jack Riewoldt Medallist (Best & Fairest): Geordie Payne (Wynyard)

Best & Fairest Runner Up: Beau Nash (Devonport)

Best in Finals: Arie Schoenmaker (Launceston)

Devil of the Year: Oscar Van Dam (North Launceston)

Toby Nankervis Rising Star: Harry Elmer (Devonport)

Brody Mihocek Award (Leading Goalkicker): Jack Dolliver (Clarence) - 28 goals

Talent League girls

Best & Fairest: Meg Harrison (Kingborough)

Best & Fairest Runner Up: Mackenzie Ford (Kingborough)

Devil of the Year: Sophie Strong (Sandy Bay)

Rising Star: Mackenzie Williams (North Hobart)

Coaches Award: Candice Belbin (Ulverstone)

Leading Goalkicker: Ava Read (North Hobart) – 20 goals

Under-16 boys

Grant Birchall Medallist (Best & Fairest): Jasper Hay (North Launceston)

Best & Fairest Runner Up: Lucas Wootton (South Launceston)

‘Devil of the Series’: Jack Miller (North Hobart)

Coaches Award: Malachi Sheehan (Wynyard)

Under-16 girls

Best & Fairest: Harriet Bingley (East Launceston)

Best & Fairest Runner Up: Jorja Haberle (Launceston)

‘Devil of the Series’: Priya Bowering (Lauderdale)

Coaches Award: Mischa Barwin (Lauderdale)