Former Noosa player Jack Payne will line up on the last line of defense for the Brisbane Lions in this Saturday’s AFL Grand Final at the MCG.
Payne was an integral member of the Noosa Colts 2016 Premiership team coached by popular footy journeyman David ‘Tinman’ Carroll, who has also had stints as Reserves and Thirds coach at the Noosa Tigers. Payne was pivotal in the Lions terrific and thrilling prelim final win over Geelong last weekend with his late chase down tackle, one to be savored among lions fans for some time!
Of course Payne missed last year’s epic Grand Final loss to Collingwood with injury, so gets his chance against the Swans in what is sure to be an absolute cracker!
His old mentor, Carroll said he was just a natural athlete and he took to the game easily.
“He had the size, pace and ability to read the play and was a great listener. He was a big reason why we won the 2016 flag and deserves all that comes to him. A pleasure to coach!”
A fantastic presentation night was held at the RACV resort last weekend with more than 100 in attendance and from all reports just a terrific night.
As predicted, star midfielder Mitch Conn took out the men’s best and fairest, with a three way tie for third with local boy Mav Pettigrove, Ben McNiece and Curtis McCarthy sharing the honours.
Nathan Horbury was adjudged most consistent with Cooper Ogden most improved, retiring reserves coach Tait Niddrie the coaches award, Jono Freeman again the leading goal kicker and Ethan Slaney our Senior best first year player!
Reagan Mills made it three Senior Women best and fairest with skipper Kellie Barker second. Both Conn and Mills also won the Noosa Today media award voted by random viewers each week on a 5,4,3,2,1 basis.
Just superb years by both and a massive well done once again.
Seb Militek took out the reserves best and fairest whilst young gun Jai Muir pipped Will Cooke and Jed Bullman in the Colts. Bullman also received the team culture award for the person whose leadership’s drive and action epitomises what the Noosa Tigers are all about!
Loved the coaches awards given out by Colts coach Ben Archard who awarded them to team managers Matt Bullman and Lanie Korybutiak and assistant coach and great clubman Tom Sparks.
A big congratulations to ex Noosa boys Lachlan Wilson (Heidelberg) and Will McKenzie (Keillor) who won flags in the weekend, let’s hope Payney can do the same on the biggest stage!
I actually got both Preliminary finals right last week and reckon the Lions will beat the Swans by six points in another thriller on Saturday.
Thanks to all those that made the presentation night so successful last weekend and don’t forget to get your tickets for the Noosa Polo which is to be held at Rococo oval on Saturday 5 October.
Keep looking at our website and social media pages for all upcoming ‘9 a side’ details and enjoy the off season.
