VFL grand final: Marlion Pickett best on ground in Richmond's heartstopping win against Williamstown
Richmond snared the VFL premiership after a heartstopping finish as mid-season recruit Marlion Pickett propelled himself into contention for the AFL decider with a best-on-ground performance.
Richmond bolter Marlion Pickett has launched the ultimate Grand Final audition to thrust his name into contention for Saturday’s premiership decider.
The Western Australian could become the first player in 67 years to make his debut in a Grand Final and staked his claim with a blistering best-on-ground performance in the VFL decider at Ikon park.
His 20-disposal and nine-tackle performance – which opened with the first goal of Richmond’s narrow victory over Williamstown – was enough to secure the Norm Goss Medal and maybe even a berth in the biggest game of his life.
Pickett, 27, said to play on the MCG on Saturday “would mean a lot”.
“If it happens, then I’ll be over the moon,” he said.
“But if it doesn’t, then I’m not too fussed about it.”
Pickett – a two-time best and fairest winner at South Fremantle – was picked up by Richmond in this year’s mid-season draft and made his VFL debut in early August.
The emerging star is a father of four who also spent time in jail as a teenager, who was overlooked by a range of clubs before the Tigers brought him to Punt Road.
Tigers VFL coach Craig McRae revealed that Richmond coach Damien Hardwick had given instruction on what he wanted to see at Ikon Park, with a number of Tigers in the frame for inclusion should Jack Graham (shoulder) and Nathan Broad (concussion) fail to recover in time for a shot at glory.
Kamdyn McIntosh and Jack Ross were late withdrawals from Sunday’s game as carry-over players should they be required.
But Pickett and young gun Sydney Stack – who made a swift return following a serious ankle injury last month but played limited minutes – remain in contention to play.
If Pickett features, he would be the first player since 1952 to make his debut in a Grand Final.
“I’m not quite sure (if I’m a big game player),” Pickett said.
“I just love to play footy. I was brought up playing footy so I just enjoy it when I’m out there.
“I’m stoked with where I’ve come from, and I’m enjoying it.”
Stack, who at one stage limped from the ground but returned to play out the game, declared he would love a chance to return and have a shot at a second premiership within a week.
“I’d love to play in a Grand Final,” Stack said.
“That’s out of my control. I just stick to what I can do this week and just train on the track and see what happens from there.”
TIGERS PREVAIL IN THRILLING FINISH
Richmond will have a chance to complete the premiership double this weekend after its VFL side claimed the state league premiership in a gripping grand final against Williamstown.
Willie Wheeler had two opportunities — both set shots from 40m — to win the game for the Seagulls in the final 90 seconds to clinch a come-from-behind victory.
His first crashed into the post and his second narrowly missed as the Tigers escaped with a three-point win at Ikon Park.For Richmond, it reversed the result from the 2017 decider when it had to swallow a narrow defeat against Port Melbourne.
Richmond coach Craig McRae said he had flashbacks to the season finale from two years ago, when former Tiger Ben Lennon had a shot after the siren to win the game, as Wheeler lined up for goal.
“I thought, ‘We’re going to lose another close one’,” McRae said
“The game is on small margins. Commiserations to Williamstown and him (Wheeler), I feel for him but I thought we earned the win early in the game.”
Any hope of Dan Butler had of winning an unlikely AFL Grand Final recall could be dashed by the VFL tribunal.
Butler, who has featured at AFL level just seven times this year, was reported in the second quarter for striking following a stomach punch to Nick Mellington.
Richmond had appeared to be heading for an easy win in front of 13,165 spectators as Williamstown failed to score in the opening quarter and were outclassed by a Tigers side filled with 18-AFL listed players against a team of tradies and office workers.At one point the inside 50 count was 30-4 as Richmond led 4.7 to 0.0.
But the Seagulls fought their way back into the contest through maintaining possession and aerial marking.
The Tigers went an hour between their fourth and fifth goal before Riley Collier-Dawkins nailed a classy running shot to show he will be a player to watch in 2020.Richmond held an 11-point buffer deep in time-on of the final term before former Collingwood and Melbourne forward Ben Kennedy nailed a snap.
And in a quarter that fell three second short of 33 minutes, Wheeler had a chance to cover himself in glory.It would have been the first time Williamstown had been in front.
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Originally published as VFL grand final: Marlion Pickett best on ground in Richmond's heartstopping win against Williamstown
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