Former St Kilda rookie Brenton Payne will line up with North Ballarat Roosters in the VFL next season.
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The Saints delisted the second-year rookie at the end of the season.
Payne is no stranger to Ballarat.
He is a product of the Bacchus Marsh Cobras’ junior program, which is part of the Ballarat Football Netball League, and attended St Patrick’s College.
The move works in well with his education, with him attending Federation University Australia in Ballarat.
Payne’s stay with St Kilda was all too short.
He was picked up after two years with Western Jets in the TAC Cup under-18 competition at selection 37 in the 2014 rookie draft.
He left the Saints without playing an AFL game, but arrives with VFL experience with the St Kilda-aligned Sandringham where he split his time between the seniors and AFL Victoria development league.
The 193cm tall Payne managed senior 14 senior games with the Zebras over two years.
While Payne has shown potential as a key position player in attack and defence, Selkirk Roosters head coach Marc Greig believes he could fit in best across half forward at Eureka Stadium.
Greig said recruiting Payne was all about adding depth to the squad.
He said Payne was still developing his game – something he would get an opportunity to do at North Ballarat.
Greig, who is preparing to enter his second year at the helm, reiterated getting players of the ilk of Payne fitted in ideally with the development approach the Roosters were taking.
He said it was not about putting pressure of individuals to be match-winners.
“We’re about getting honest types – players who are going to contribute consistently.”
Payne is the Roosters’ second signing as it prepares to embark on pre-season training from Monday, November 7.
We’re about getting honest types – players who are going to contribute consistently.
- Roosters coach Marc Greig
They secured VFL-experienced Toby Thoolen early last month.
His is a former Collingwood draftee, and has played with the Magpies, Port Melbourne and Frankston in the VFL.
Greig expects to have more than 60 players on the training track before the end of the year, including about 25 players who have already been signed to one and two-year contracts.
Daniel Cox will not be among players returning, having gone home to Broom in Western Australia at the end of the season.
He joined North Ballarat early last season with Matt Eagles while they were appearing on the pay television reality program, The Recruit.
Each reached the final, with Eagles winning the series and taking up an AFL contract with the Brisbane Lions.
Cox also played two games with Sebastopol in the BFNL.
His younger brother Cedric Cox was also a late recruit for North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup and is in contention to be drafted.
