PAYNE, Ian

Ian Payne was a centreman and half-forward. Known as Porky, he came from Terang like his brother, Charlie, who played 184 games for Essendon.

Payne won the Reserves Best and Fairest award in 1965 and was also an emergency in the Senior premiership team in that year.

His career was interrupted when he was conscripted into the Army. He was attached to the Australian Force Vietnam Provost Unit and sent to Vietnam in 1968 and 1969. He returned to Essendon to play one game late in 1969, then another 23 until he retired at the end of 1971.

Payne won the Most Improved Player award in 1967 and 1970. He was hospitalised in 1970 after suffering a ruptured kidney and broken ribs against Carlton in the first game of the season. He missed eight weeks but returned in Round 10 and played another 10 games that season.

Payne went to Sunshine in 1972 for two seasons before joining Keilor where he played from 1974 to 1976.