Lions strongman Jack Payne says the “synergy” he has developed with Lions co-captain Harris Andrews has been essential to his rising perception that he belongs at AFL stage.
Payne was excellent in shutting down Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow within the Lions’ 26-point win over Carlton final Friday evening.
It was Payne’s thirteenth successive match throughout two seasons. and with every look, the 23-year-old Sunshine Coast product grows in confidence.
“Playing every week helps,” Payne mentioned forward of Brisbane’s battle with Essendon on the Gabba on Saturday evening.
“Self-belief for me at the moment is really strong, and the more games I’m playing, the better off I’m going to get.”
Payne was grateful for the assist he had acquired from Andrews, a fellow Queenslander and one other product of the Lions academy.
“He’s been awesome, Harris,” Payne mentioned.
“We both graduated from the Brisbane Lions academy. He was maybe three or four years ahead of me, so as a junior I tracked his development.
“He’s an exceptional player, a two-time All-Australian, so to learn off him has been awesome for my game and I feel like we’ve got a really good partnership out on the field.
“We’re working really well together … and the more games we play together, the better we’re going to be and (I) feel like our synergy is really good at the moment.”
As Payne’s confidence will increase, so does his perception that he may contribute to Brisbane’s attacking forays by taking intercept marks slightly than merely being a defensive spoiler.
“Early days, I probably always would have spoiled the ball, but now, if I think I’m in a good position, I’m going to go for my intercept marks,” he mentioned.
“It helps the team to rebound forward and get the ball moving forward, so if I’m in the right position, I’m going to back myself in.”
Payne educated strongly on Tuesday at Springfield, as did Lions veteran Dayne Zorko, who’s pushing onerous for an sooner than anticipated return from a hamstring harm.
The Lions are aiming for a sixth successive win this weekend, with Payne predicting Brisbane’s defence would face a “different” problem in nullifying Essendon’s ahead line.
“Kyle (Langford) played a great game on the weekend against Port (Adelaide), and (Jake) Stringer is their X-factor, so it’s going to be another tough game,” he mentioned.
Originally revealed as Jack Payne’s confidence continues to develop with the assistance of Lions star Harris Andrews
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
