Lakeesha Pickett prepares for her own footy journey after already being on the AFL premiership dais
Lakeesha Pickett has already been on the dais after a grand final win with her father but now her footy career is about to blossom.
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It’s an iconic image most Port Adelaide diehards will remember.
Byron Pickett walking on stage to collect his Norm Smith Medal at the 2004 grand final with his daughter in his arms.
Byron had starred in the Power’s inaugural grand final, his 20 disposals and three goals helping Port Adelaide beat Brisbane to claim the flag.
He held his then two-year-old daughter Lakeesha’s hand and helped her wave to the bumper MCG crowd.
Lakeesha doesn’t remember much about that last Saturday in September.
But now, 15 years later, she is beginning to forge her own path in the sport.
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She was last week named in the SA under-18 girls’ academy squad after this year lining up with Woodville-West Torrens’ under-17 team.
She is also in the Eagles’ league squad and could feature in the SANFLW next season.
Lakeesha, a Year 10 student at Ocean View College, is proud to be named in the state squad and hopes to continue the Pickett legacy.
“I was surprised (to get named in the state squad),” the full forward said.
“I didn’t think my name would be on there. I was pretty excited for the opportunity.
“I don’t really remember anything about the (2004) grand final but I have the photo.”
Byron finished his AFL career in 2007 at Melbourne after being traded at the end of 2005.
But he said sharing the flag and Norm Smith Medal win with Lakeesha was a memory he would cherish forever.
“Lakeesha gives her younger brothers a bit of stick because she’s ‘famous’ and was on stage with me but they weren’t born yet,” Byron, now 42, said.
“We’ve got a footy card at home with that picture on it and it will always be remembered.”
Lakeesha only started playing football this year with the Eagles and Port Districts’ under-16 team.
But she grew up kicking the footy in the backyard with Byron, her two younger brothers – Byron jnr, 14, Kayde, 12 and cousin Kysaiah Pickett – who was drafted by Melbourne last month.
“Sometimes it gets a bit rough with the boys but you’ve just got to give it back to them,”
she said.
Lakeesha does not remember much about Byron’s playing career – which spanned 204 games with North Melbourne, Port and the Demons – but had watched a few highlights on YouTube and was working on becoming a tough competitor like him.
Byron, who also has two older daughters – Mikayla, 22, and Shawnah, 20 – believes Lakeesha has the natural talent to play AFLW.
“She’s still young but everything is working out pretty well for her so far and it’s exciting for her,” Byron said.
Port Adelaide does not have a team in the AFLW but is set to apply for a licence during the next round of bidding – possibly in 2022.
Lakeesha said she would love to don the black, white and teal like her dad – and Byron would be “extremely proud” if his daughter lined up in the AFLW.
But for now, Lakeesha said her focus was on improving and playing regularly with the Eagles.