Vale Rod Payne

Team of the Century ruckman Rod Payne, who passed away on Saturday December 21 aged 74, was a Prahran Football Club club great.

Rod, pictured here with compere Sam Kekovich at a Jack Morgans Luncheon,  played 125 games for the Two Blues, was a member of the 1973 premiership team, chairman of selectors in the 1978 premiership team and the automatic choice as first ruck in the Team Of The Century.

Recruited from Old Melburnians in the VAFA, he spent the 1970 season at Melbourne playing 13 senior games before returning to the Two Blues. 

Rod's wise counsel was always valued and the genial giant was later in life especially proud that he has a grandson and granddaughter playing in the Two Blues colours in football and netball.

Rod's son Simon and his wife Elle have been great contributors to the Prahran Junior Football Club.

A memorial service was be held on Thursday January 16 at Royal Melbourne Golf Club with many of his 1973 premiership teammates in attendance. An attendance of more than 250 heard outstanding eulogies delivered by close friends Bede Gibson, Peter Sutherland and Rod's son Simon.

The club passes on its deepest sympathy to the family who have been swamped by well wishers since the sad news was known.​