AFL Tasmania was saddened to learn of the passing of Burnie Payne, Inductee #76 in the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame.
Over 14 seasons and more than 200 games, Payne established himself as one of the state’s finest players in the 1950s and 60s with the Hobart Football Club. A two-time William Leitch Medallist, he led the club to four TANFL premierships and to a state flag in 1959 with his speed and skill in the midfield. While he only claimed one club best and fairest award, a testament to the depth of talent that Hobart enjoyed, he led their goalkicking three times, an impressive feat from the midfield.
Amongst his time with the Tigers he represented the state on 16 occasions, and he spent a season with St Kilda in the VFL, kicking 27 goals in 16 games and proving that he could more than match it with the best in the country. While he retired in 1973 after a stint as catpain-coach of Kingston, he will be remembered as one of the greatest players in Hobart's history, and he was named as rover in the club's ‘Greatest Team of 1947-2002’.
The thoughts of all at AFL Tasmania are with Burnie's loved ones at this difficult time.
You can read more about his outstanding career here.