Kysaiah Pickett is tracking towards a Round 1 debut for the Demons

New skipper Max Gawn has endorsed Kysaiah Pickett’s Round 1 claims after the first-round draftee made an exciting debut in the Marsh Series against Adelaide.

Kysaiah Pickett is close to a Round 1 debut. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne’s newest wrecking ball Kysaiah Pickett can have an instant impact for the Demons as he tracks towards a Round 1 debut against West Coast in Perth.

One of the biggest bolters of last year’s draft has already added a physical new edge to Melbourne’s forward setup and impressed with his defensive pressure, despite having only six possessions in the 33-point pre-season win over Adelaide on Saturday.

Pickett, who was taken pick No. 13, laid a club-high three forward 50m tackles and was their top-rating forward half pressure-player, in only his first game against the Crows.

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Melbourne’s top forward 50m pressure player last season was Alex Neal-Bullen, who laid on average 1.5 forward 50m tackles a game, according to Champion Data.

But Pickett, in his first-up performance, already doubled that as the Demons look to ramp up the forward 50m pressure to help significantly improve their forward half retention this season.

The South Australian was a menacing presence deep forward and kicked a clever goal. Pickett started his charge 20m away and burned off his man to receive a selfless handball and slot the goal on his right foot.

Neville Jetta congratulates Kysaiah Pickett after his Marsh Series debut. Picture: Getty Images

But the Demons have made clear his role is to create havoc with his tackle pressure and bruising bumps after soaring up the draft charts into first-round calculations in the back half of last year.

Coach Simon Goodwin said the 170cm Pickett could be a weapon in red and blue.

“The pressure he can apply forward of centre (is a threat) and I think him, (Charlie) Spargo and Neal-Bullen I thought were outstanding with their pressure inside 50m,” Goodwin said.

The lethal small forward role is a void Melbourne has been keen to fill to help take over from speedster Jeff Garlett, who played only seven games in 2019 before his retirement at the end of the year.

New captain Max Gawn said Pickett had made a big impression early and was regularly showcasing his trick bag on the training track.

“He did look good at the weekend (against Adelaide), he did one of the better steps I’ve ever seen,” Gawn said on RSN.

“He stepped me at training the other day and he took a screamer on Jack Viney the other day as well, which is frowned upon, for mine — taking a mark on (the man) who was the captain at the time.

“’Kossie’ is a good little player and he is going the right to potentially play Round 1, the same as Luke Jackson.”

Fellow first-round recruit Luke Jackson is also in the frame for a Round 1 debut against the Eagles as a flexible key forward-back-up ruckman.

Jackson is locked in a battle with Sam Weideman for an early spot, with star ruckman and new captain Max Gawn expected to return alongside gun midfielder Angus Brayshaw (elbow) in the second Marsh Series clash against Hawthorn in Tasmania next Friday.

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Originally published as Kysaiah Pickett is tracking towards a Round 1 debut for the Demons