AFL Draft profiles: Kysaiah Pickett likened to former Hawthorn miracle man Cyril Rioli

AFL draft hopeful Kysaiah Pickett knows his uncle Byron Pickett was a tough player in over 200 AFL games, but the mercurial young gun has been likened more to former Hawthorn gamechanger Cyril Rioli.

AFL draft prospect Kysaiah Pickett, in his State jumper, with his uncle, former Kangaroos’ and Power hardman Byron Pickett. Picture: AAP

Kysaiah Pickett was a little too young to remember when his uncle Byron was running around, laying some of the biggest bone crunching bumps the AFL world has ever seen.

But that hasn’t stopped him from venturing onto YouTube to track down the footage.

“I do watch them. His sons always tell me about his bumps,” he told the Herald Sun.

“They were pretty hard. I reckon they’re (probably) about two weeks or so (suspension) these days.”

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AFL draft prospect Kysaiah Pickett, in his State jumper, with his uncle, former Kangaroos’ and Power hardman Byron Pickett. Picture: AAP

Opposition stars across the competition can breathe a sigh of relief though. Kysaiah doesn’t bump with quite the same level of ferociousness that made his uncle famous.

However, he does carry the same level of x-factor, which has been a highlight of his junior football.

As well as the blistering speed and desire to chase and tackle, Pickett “likes to fly.”

He took a monster hanger for Prince Alfred College in school footy, which quickly spread across social media.

“I guess, when I do get the chance, I like flying,” he said.

“I try to be exciting. All my coaches, they tell me that it is a key strength in my game.”

Pickett’s football journey has already taken him far and wide across the country.

He grew up in the small Western Australian country town of Quairading, before moving to South Australia to live with his uncle Byron.

It was there that his bond grew with Byron’s sons, Kayde and Byron.

Kysaiah Pickett in action for Prince Alfred College. Picture: AAP

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“He always tells me that his sons look up to me. They are 12 and 13 and I take that really seriously,” Kysaiah said.

“He tells me that they always copy me. So I’m always thinking about that. If I do things, I want to make sure they’re good.”

Kysaiah’s family AFL links don’t end there. In fact, they’re just the beginning.

He is a cousin of West Coast premiership player Liam Ryan, with the two often catching up when he returns home to Western Australia. He is also a cousin of Neville and Lewis Jetta while his uncle is Richmond’s one-game premiership hero Marlion Pickett.

“I didn’t really see him before that,” Kysaiah said of Marlion.

“But it (Richmond’s premiership) was obviously a very special moment. To have all the family over there, I think that was very special for him.”

Pickett played three national championships games for South Australia where he was rated elite for disposals, score assists and contested possessions by Champion Data.

Originally published as AFL Draft profiles: Kysaiah Pickett likened to former Hawthorn miracle man Cyril Rioli