New Melbourne recruit Kysaiah Pickett ready to ‘get stuck in’ and write his own history at the ‘Dees
Kysaiah Pickett will be the third member of his family to pull on a Melbourne guernsey but the Woodville-West Torrens product is keen to make his own mark in the red and blue.
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Kysaiah Pickett grew up in a football family, watching on as his uncle and cousin played in AFL grand finals, albeit 15 years apart, at a packed MCG.
But the new Melbourne recruit still had to pinch himself as he walked through the Demons’ training hub at Gosch’s Paddock and then later as he toured the MCG.
Pickett, who Melbourne selected with pick No. 12 at last week’s national draft, trained with the Demons for the first time on Monday.
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Although his uncle, dual premiership star Byron Pickett, played for Melbourne during 2006 and 2007, the Woodville-West Torrens product told The Messenger walking into the club was daunting.
“I’m very excited to get started now that I have the first training session done and under my belt,” Pickett, a Prince Alfred College graduate, said.
“It was very intimidating walking in there, not knowing anyone.
“But all the players came out of their way to talk to me which was good.”
Pickett, whose cousin is Richmond flag hero Marlion Pickett, already has an extensive highlights reel showcasing pace, spectacular high marks and intensive tackle pressure.
The small forward featured in two state league games for the Eagles and seven reserves matches this year.
He also lit up the field for SA during the under-18 national tournament, before leading PAC to the Messenger Shield college football title and the state school knockout championship.
The 18-year-old received text messages from Byron and Marlion congratulating him on being drafted and both had similar words of wisdom – “they told me to soak it all in and work hard”.
Pickett, who is living in Melbourne with his ‘Uncle Nev’ – Demons defender Neville Jetta – says his family ties have helped shape him into the footballer and person he is today.
But he is keen to forge his own career at the Demons and add some spark into the side’s forward line.
“I just want to earn the respect of all the players, get out of my comfort zone and ask a lot of questions.
“But it’s very special and I can’t explain the excitement, I’m just keen to get stuck in.”