Port Adelaide premiership hero Byron Pickett sues AFL Players’ Association and ex-agent

Port Adelaide premiership hero Byron Pickett is suing the AFL Players’ Association, alleging it breached its duty of care as a former federal MP siphoned his fortune.

When Byron Pickett signed his first AFL contract, he thought he would be set for life.

For the Port Lincoln teenager, even the $21,500 that deal was worth was an unfathomable amount of money.

Five years later, he was earning almost $284,000 before tax as a Port Adelaide player.

But 20 years on, the Power’s 2004 premiership hero still rents his home and has nothing to show for his 11-year footy career as a household name renowned for his booming kick and physical play.

He has spent much of that time trying to explain to his children why they haven’t enjoyed the spoils of having a former professional athlete as their parent.

“The kids asked me over the years: ‘Where’s the money? What happened? What did you do?’,” Pickett told The Advertiser.

Former Port Adelaide star Byron Pickett is suing the AFL Players’ Association and his ex-agent Kym Richardson over hundreds of thousands of dollars in wages allegedly stolen from him. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dean Martin

“Dad, you played AFL for 11 years but we don’t even have a car, we don’t have a house. Where’s all the money gone?

“I didn’t have an answer for them.”

Pickett has now taken legal action against the AFL Players’ Association – the peak body representing AFL and AFLW players – claiming the association breached its duty of care to him by not having in place regulations that led to his former player agent Kym Richardson allegedly stealing more than $250,000 in cash from the 2004 Norm Smith Medallist.

In a statement of claim lodged with the Supreme Court, Pickett alleges Mr Richardson withdrew $253,920 in cash without his client’s permission from a bank account he opened in trust for Pickett in December 2001.

“Kym had sole control over the ATM card, cheque book and internet banking for the Pickett account,” the statement of claim alleges.

Mr Pickett and his lawyer Greg Griffin arrive at the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dean Martin

Pickett’s claim alleges Mr Richardson and his family profited from property deals with Pickett that he did not understand.

According to the claim, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide and Melbourne paid $654,209 in wages into the account from December 2001 to August 2007.

It is further alleged cash was withdrawn from the account at a location referred to as “Parliament House” in February 2005 while Mr Richardson was the federal MP for Kingston.

Hundreds of dollars were also spent at the Roebuck Bay Hotel and Willie Creek Pearl Farm in Broome, while $1500 was withdrawn from the account on May 7, 2005, Pickett alleges.

Pickett “has never been to Broome”, according to the statement of claim.

Pickett was awarded the Norm Smith Medal in Port Adelaide’s historic premiership win in 2004.

Kym Richardson represented Pickett from 2001 to 2007. Picture: Supplied

The claim alleges the AFLPA was “negligent and in breach of its duty of care to Byron” by not having provisions included in regulations “governing the conduct of player agents” while Mr Richardson acted for Pickett from 2001 to 2007.

It alleges Pickett has suffered loss equal to at least the cash amount allegedly withdrawn from the account because of the AFLPA’s “negligence” and that Port Adelaide raised concerns with the AFLPA in 2005 about Mr Richardson’s conduct.

In a defence lodged with the Supreme Court, the AFLPA denies breaching its duty of care.

According to the defence, an AFLPA representative who met with Pickett and Port Adelaide staff in 2005, noted “Kym has Byron’s best interests at heart”.

Mr Richardson, who has not lodged a defence, was contacted for comment through his lawyers but did not respond.

An AFLPA spokeswoman said the association would not comment on the allegations before the court.

Pickett said he will continue to pursue the legal action to “get back what I deserve”.

“I’m not actually doing it for myself,” he said.

“I’m doing it for my kids, for my family.”