The Bulldogs will play Canberra Raiders at Apex Oval on Saturday, February 27 in the last hit out before the season starts and Payne is determined to be in the squad.

On Monday and Tuesday he has been in Dubbo with Bulldogs team-mates Andrew Ryan, Gary Warburton and Danny Williams as part of the club’s commitment to the NRL Community Carnival concept.

While Payne, 25, has enjoyed interacting with hundreds of primary school kids, he remains focussed on getting a run in the first team 17.

“Obviously our coach Kevin Moore is going to show loyalty to the players who got the team to one game away from the grand final last year, but you’ve also got to remain positive,” Payne said.

“I’ve moved back to my former junior rep club at the Bulldogs after three seasons with St George and then the last two with West Tigers.

“I’ve gone to the Bulldogs with the attitude of training hard and putting my best foot forward in everything I do.

“We’ve got our first trial against St George next week and then there’s the game in Dubbo. You hope to get your chance and then it’s up to you. Simple as that.”

Payne played his junior football with Chester Hill Hornets in the Canterbury district and was in a couple of representative junior premiership teams.

Then he turned his back on the Bulldogs and signed with St George in 2005. He played 47 games there and then had another 41 games with West Tigers in 2008-09.

Despite some turmoil at the Bulldogs during his time away, Payne sees the culture back to the way he remembered it.

“Kevin Moore has really got the place buzzing, something similar to what it was when his father did years ago,” Payne said.

“After just missing out last year the feeling is very positive and while we have lost experienced played like Hazem El Masri, Matty Utai and Greg Eastwood they have recruited well.

“Steve Turner has played in the past four grand finals with Melbourne Storm and Dene Halatau won a premiership with the Tigers. Then there’s also Micky Paea coming over from St George.

“So I think we’re in pretty good shape having covered all positions and the guys who have left.”