PAYNE, Charlie

Charlie Payne was a fine team player who was an accomplished full-forward before moving into the ruck where he again excelled.

Payne was only 16 years old when he came from Terang to the Under 19s in 1961.

He made his senior debut in Round 2 1962, aged 17 and played every game for the rest of the season. He finished his first year of senior football as leading goalkicker with 39 goals, won the Best First Year Player award, and played in a premiership team. He is still the youngest Essendon premiership player and the fourth youngest to debut in League history.

The following year Payne continued where he had left off, playing in every game, and leading the Club goalkicking with 36 goals. His seven goals in Round 6 were the most by an Essendon player that year.

In 1964 Payne moved into the ruck and he played there and in the back pocket in the 1965 premiership team. He was in the ruck in the losing 1968 Grand Final side.

He wore no. 8 instead of no. 7 in the 1965 Grand Final when the VFL was forced to make last-minute changes to some guernsey numbers worn by the Essendon team because some members of the public had endeavoured to sabotage the official edition of the footy record by printing a ‘rogue’ version (EFCPP&OA Newsletter, April 2022). Several other players also had to change their numbers.

Payne returned to his usual number in 1966.

The versatile Payne won the Best Utility Player in 1966 and Best Clubman award in 1965, 1970 and 1971.

He was transferred with his work to Adelaide and joined reigning premiers, North Adelaide, in 1973, playing there until 1977. On his return to Melbourne, he became captain-coach of Keilor in 1978 and 1979. After this he returned to Essendon as skills coach in 1981 and 1982 before coaching Doutta Stars from 1983 to 1985.

He returned to Essendon as a committeeman in 1987 and served in various capacities until 1998.

Charlie Payne's brother, Ian, also played for Essendon.