LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a serendipitous turn of events, former North Queensland Cowboys hooker Aaron Payne finds himself reunited with his old friend and teammate Benji Marshall at the Western Suburbs Magpies.
This unexpected reunion comes after a relationship forged eleven years ago while playing representative footy together.
Payne, now 41, is set to take on the role of head coach for The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup team, a position that will allow him to work closely with Marshall and the rest of the Wests Tigers.
It's a fitting twist of fate for two players who once formed an unstoppable duo on the field, as they led the NRL All Stars to a thrilling 36-28 victory against the Indigenous All Stars in 2012.
As a Brisbane-born footballer who spent his entire NRL career with the Cowboys, Payne's journey to coaching in Sydney may seem unexpected, but it's a testament to his unwavering passion for the game.
Following his retirement from professional playing, Payne wasted no time delving into coaching, starting with the Cowboys' pathways before dedicating four years to coaching the Townsville Blackhawks in the Hostplus Cup.
Now, with his wealth of experience and an invaluable connection to Marshall, Payne is ready to lead the Wests Tigers to new heights.