Melbourne targeting small forward Kysaiah Pickett with pick 10 in AFL draft

Melbourne is set to use its pick 10 in Wednesday’s draft on exciting small forward Kysaiah Pickett, pipping Western Bulldogs to a player who has drawn comparisons to Cyril Rioli.

Kysaiah Pickett is shaping as the first small forward taken in the draft.

Melbourne is circling lethal small forward Kysaiah Pickett with its No. 10 pick in Wednesday’s national draft.

The dynamic goal kicker is considered one of the most exciting players in this year’s crop for his spectacular high marks and intensive tackle pressure.

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Pickett has drawn comparisons to Hawthorn champion Cyril Rioli for his desperate defensive acts and mercurial feats inside 50m.

The nephew of dual premiership player Byron Pickett would fill a key void for the Demons who are desperate to ramp up their tackle pressure in the forward half next season.

He's the nephew of Byron Pickett, terrorises defenders and takes huge speccies.

Meet 2019 NAB AFL Draft bolter Kysaiah Pickett: https://t.co/tk4rSsg73y pic.twitter.com/ESpJoRsSvb

— AFL (@AFL) November 13, 2019

Melbourne want to replace retired speedster Jeff Garlett and had one of the worst forward half retention rates in the competition last season.

But Pickett would add a razor-sharp edge to the Demons’ forward arc and would be expected to push for selection in the early part of next season.

Kysaiah Pickett pictured with his uncle, former AFL star Byron Pickett.

The 171cm SANFL star soared up draft rankings in the back half of the season and is now considered the top small forward in the draft.

Pickett is also on the Western Bulldogs’ radar at pick No. 13, but the Demons are seriously considering snapping him up at pick 10.

At Melbourne he would join forces with his cousin, Neville Jetta.

West Coast’s Liam Ryan is also a cousin while Richmond Grand Final hero Marlion Pickett is an uncle.

Melbourne made a clever trade this week with Fremantle, swapping pick eight for 10 and 28. The Dees are expected to take ruckman-key forward Luke Jackson at pick three.

Simon Goodwin and Alan Richardson at the AFL Draft Combine. Picture: Michael Klein.

Kysaiah Pickett is shaping as the first small forward taken in the draft.

The Dees are confident Jackson, who has been likened to Collingwood ace Brodie Grundy, can work in tandem with superstar ruckman Max Gawn and flourish in the early part of his career as a forward.

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Jackson and Pickett would be a silver lining to a disastrous 2019 finishing second-last with only five wins.

But the Demons have made bold change since then, overhauling the fitness and coaching departments.

Melbourne is also eyeing two delisted senior players, key forward Mitch Brown from Essendon and discarded Docker Harley Bennell.

Originally published as Melbourne targeting small forward Kysaiah Pickett with pick 10 in AFL draft