Aaron Payne
{{short description|Australian rugby league footballer and coach}}
{{For|the American sprinter|Aaron Payne (sprinter)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2013}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Aaron Payne
|fullname =
|image =
|caption =
|position = {{rlp|HK|HB}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|11|18|df=y}}
|birth_place = Townsville, Queensland, Australia
|retired = yes
|height = {{convert|175|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|86|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|club1 = North Qld Cowboys
|year1start = 2002
|year1end = 12
|appearances1 = 219
|tries1 = 25
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 1
|points1 = 101
|teamA = NRL All Stars
|yearAstart = 2012
|yearAend =
|appearancesA = 1
|triesA = 0
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 0
|updated =
|source = [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/player?playerid=108504&teamid=3399 Herald Sun][http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/aaron-payne/summary.html RLP]
}}
Aaron Payne (born 18 November 1982) is an Australian rugby league coach and former professional player who is the head coach of the Townsville Blackhawks in the Intrust Super Cup. Primarily a {{rlp|hk}}, he played his entire career for the North Queensland Cowboys.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/12/04/legend-qa-aaron-payne/|title=Legend Q&A: Aaron Payne|date=4 December 2019|website=NRL}}
Background
Born in Townsville, Queensland, Payne played his junior rugby league for the Central Tigers and attended Kirwan State High School before being signed by the North Queensland Cowboys. His father, Mark, played two games for Queensland in 1979.{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/the-quintessential-cowboy/story-e6frep5x-1111114462965|title=Aaron Payne is a north Queenslander to his bootstraps|last=Marshall|first=Matt|date=21 September 2007|work=The Courier-Mail|publisher=News Limited|accessdate=20 September 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2008/03/07/11202_cowboys.html|title=Payne out to regain authority|last=Stewart|first=Antony|date=7 March 2008|work=Townsville Bulletin|publisher=News Limited|accessdate=20 September 2010}}
Playing career
In 1999, while playing for Centrals, Payne represented the Queensland under-17 team, starting at halfback in a loss to New South Wales.{{Cite web|url=https://18thman.com/representative/under-17s-origin/1999-2/|title=1999|website=18th Man|date=25 October 2017}} In 2001, he represented the Queensland under-19 team, coming off the bench in a 28–14 win over the Blues.{{Cite web|url=https://18thman.com/representative/under-19s-origin/2001-2/|title=2001|website=18th Man|date=26 October 2017}}
In Round 12 of the 2002 NRL season, Payne made his NRL debut for the Cowboys in a 40–32 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons. In his rookie season, he played five games, starting one at {{rlp|hb}}. In 2003, Payne represented the Queensland Residents team and played four NRL games, scoring two tries.{{cite news|url=http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2007/12/15/9122_sport.html|title=Payne's flag pledge|last=Stewart|first=Antony|date=15 December 2007|work=Townsville Bulletin|publisher=News Limited|accessdate=20 September 2010}}
In 2004, after a permanent move to {{rlp|hk}}, Payne became a regular in the Cowboys' side. He played 25 games that season, including the club's first ever finals appearances. His form earned him a spot in Queensland's Emerging Origin squad for the first time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2019/07/27/players-unlucky-not-to-have-worn-the-maroons-jersey/|title=Players unlucky not to have worn the Maroons jersey|date=27 July 2019|website=QRL}}
In 2005, Payne played all 28 games for the Cowboys, including the 2005 NRL Grand Final, in which they lost 16–30 to the Wests Tigers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys-side-better-than-2005-nrl-grand-final-team-says-aaron-payne/story-fnp0lyn6-1227462235238|title=Cowboys side better than 2005 Grand Final team|date=29 July 2015|website=The Courier Mail}} In 2006, he won the Paul Bowman Medal, the Cowboys Player of the Year award, for the first time.{{cite web|url=http://www.cowboys.com.au/default.aspx?s=honours |title=Honours: North Queensland Cowboys |work=cowboys.com.au |publisher=North Queensland Cowboys |accessdate=30 October 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012233017/http://www.cowboys.com.au/default.aspx?s=honours |archivedate=12 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/thaidays-triple-treat/story-e6frep76-1111117729194|title=Sam Thaiday Broncos best; Aaron Payne No.1 at Cowboys|last=Davis|first=Greg|date=11 October 2008|work=The Sunday Mail|publisher=News Limited|accessdate=20 September 2010}} In Round 18 of the 2007 NRL season, Payne played his 100th NRL game in a 16–24 loss to the Brisbane Broncos.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-07-13/nrl-preview-round-18/2502706?pfmredir=sm|title=NRL Preview: Round 18|date=13 July 2018|website=ABC}}
In 2008, in what was a poor season for the Cowboys, Payne won the Paul Bowman Medal for the second time and also received the Players' Player and Club Person of the Year awards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/aaron-payne-the-heart-and-soul-of-north-queensland-cowboys/story-e6frepbf-1226044387281?sv=a308641af0959d6a87631559b4714296|title=Aaron Payne the heart and soul of North Queensland|date=25 April 2011|website=The Courier Mail}} In 2009, Payne played just 16 games due to injury. The injury occurred in a Round 17 win over the Cronulla Sharks, in which Payne was playing his 150th NRL game. The injury ruled him out for the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/gutsy-cowboys-suffer-triple-injury-blow-20090705-gdtme2.html|title=Gutsy Cowboys suffer triple injury blow|date=5 July 2009|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}} In 2010, Payne played 21 games for the club, missing three weeks due to an ankle injury.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-04-13/payne-out-for-up-to-six-weeks/393884|title=Payne out for up to six weeks|date=13 April 2020|website=ABC}}
Payne is often considered an underrated player, operating in the shadows of high-profile Cowboys players such as Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen. Former Australian captain Gorden Tallis has described Payne as the "glue" that holds the Cowboys together.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/the-forgotten-cowboy/story-e6frexnr-1111114370427|title=The forgotten Cowboy|last=Walshaw|first=Nick|date=8 September 2007|work=The Daily Telegraph|publisher=News Limited|accessdate=20 September 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys-season-over-when-aaron-payne-injured/story-e6frepbf-1225765781044|title=Cowboys season over when Aaron Payne injured|last=Tallis|first=Gorden|date=25 August 2009|work=The Courier-Mail|publisher=News Limited|accessdate=20 September 2010}} In 2011, he re-signed with the Cowboys for a further season as the club made the finals for the first time in four seasons.{{Cite web|url=https://www.zerotackle.com/payne-resigns-season-2012-4023/|title=Payne re-signs for season 2012|date=21 September 2011|website=Zero Tackle}}
On 4 February 2012, Payne earned the first senior representative honour of his career when he started at {{rlp|hk}} for the NRL All Stars in their 36–28 win over the Indigenous All Stars. Payne was a late call-up by All Stars' coach Wayne Bennett for the injured Cameron Smith.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl-allstars-call-up-cowboy-payne-20120126-1t71u.html|title=NRL All-Stars call up Cowboy Payne|date=26 January 2012|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/aaron-payne-finally-gets-his-rep-team-break-at-30/story-e6frg7mf-1226261276759|title=Aaron Payne finally gets his rep team break at 30|last=McDonald|first=Margie|date=3 February 2012|work=The Australian|accessdate=4 February 2012}}
In Round 6 of the 2012 NRL season, Payne played his 200th NRL game, the third Cowboy to do so, in a 18–42 loss to the Melbourne Storm.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/payne-proud-of-200-nrl-games-with-cowboys-20120404-1wcxg.html|title=Payne proud of 200 NRL games with Cowboys|date=4 April 2012|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}} On 1 August 2012, Payne announced that he would retire at the end of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-02/paine-to-retire-at-end-of-season/4172574|title=Payne to retire at end of season|date=1 August 2012|website=ABC}} His final game was an 33–16 elimination final win over the Brisbane Broncos at Dairy Farmers Stadium. Payne was injured in the match and missed the rest of the Cowboys finals campaign.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-13/injury-signals-end-for-retiring-payne/4259368|title=Injury signals the end for injured Payne|date=13 September 2012|website=ABC}} For his contribution to the Cowboys, Payne was awarded a life membership with the club, the fourth person at the time to receive the honour.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2016/02/26/life-membership-for-club-chairman/|title=Life membership for club chairman|date=26 February 2016|website=North Queensland Cowboys}}
Coaching career
In 2014, Payne became the head coach of the Cowboys' Academy program, mentoring players from squads in Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton and Brisbane.
On 20 November 2015, he was named as head coach of the club's under-20 side. He coached the side for two seasons, taking them to the finals in both years, before the competition was ended.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2015/11/20/payne-appointed-nyc-coach/|title=Payne appointed NYC coach|date=20 November 2015}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2017/09/05/nyc-roll-call-for-finals-destiny/|title = NYC roll call for finals destiny|date = 5 September 2017}}
On 28 September 2018, he was named as head coach of the Townsville Blackhawks, signing a two-year contract. He replaced inaugural head coach Kristian Woolf.{{Cite web|url=http://blackhawkstsv.com.au/2018/09/28/more-payne-more-gain/|title=More Payne, More Gain|date=28 September 2018}} He coached the side to a 3rd place finish in his first season in charge. On 21 July 2020, Payne returned to the Cowboys, joining as an assistant coach for the remainder of the 2020 NRL season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2020/07/21/payne-returns-as-assistant-coach-for-remainder-of-2020/|title=Payne returns as assistant coach for remainder of 2020|date=21 July 2020|website=North Queensland Cowboys}}
He returned to the Blackhawks in 2021 as the Head Coach, where he took the club to a 7th placed finish. The side fell outside of the eight the following season, finishing 10th on the ladder with 7 wins and 2 draws (10 losses).
Achievements and accolades
=Individual=
Statistics
=NRL=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:85%;" | |||||
| width=2%|Season
!width=8%|Team !width=2%|Matches !width=2%|T !width=2%|G !width=2%|GK % !width=2%|F/G !width=2%|Pts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2002
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} North Queensland | 5|| 0|| 0|| –|| 0|| 0 | |||||
| style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2003 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} North Queensland | 4 | 2 | 0 | – | 0 | 8 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2004
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} North Queensland | 25|| 4|| 0|| –|| 0|| 16 | |||||
| style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2005 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} North Queensland | 28 | 5 | 0 | – | 0 | 20 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2006
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} North Queensland | 21|| 6|| 0|| –|| 0|| 24 | |||||
| style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2007 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} North Queensland | 27 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 | 1 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2008
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} North Queensland | 24|| 1|| 0|| –|| 0|| 4 | |||||
| style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2009 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} North Queensland | 16 | 4 | 0 | – | 0 | 16 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2010
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} North Queensland | 21|| 0|| 0|| –|| 0|| 0 | |||||
| style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2011 |style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} North Queensland | 23 | 2 | 0 | – | 0 | 8 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2012
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} North Queensland | 25|| 1|| 0|| –|| 0|| 4 | |||||
| class="sortbottom"
! colspan=2| Career totals ! 219 ! 25 ! 0 ! – ! 1 ! 101 |
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{North Queensland Cowboys Life Members}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Payne, Aaron}}
Category:Australian rugby league coaches
Category:Australian rugby league players
Category:North Queensland Cowboys players
Category:NRL All Stars players
Category:Rugby league halfbacks
Category:People educated at Kirwan State High School
Category:Rugby league players from Townsville