AFL Daily: Rolling footy news for Thursday, September 26
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has declared Marlion Pickett a "ready-made AFL player" as he prepares to make his senior debut on the biggest stage of all in tomorrow's Grand Final.
Richmond excitement machine Marlion Pickett says he is ready to take his opportunity with “both hands” as he prepares to become the first player to debut in an AFL Grand Final since 1952.
After the Tigers made the bombshell call to bring in Pickett for his first AFL game in the premiership decider, Hardwick admitted today the 27-year-old had forced the Tigers' hand at the selection table after his best afield performance in the VFL Grand Final last week.
The mature-age mid-season recruit will become the first player since 1952 to make his debut in a VFL/AFL Grand Final.But Hardwick said Pickett had earned his chance to show what he could do on the finals stage.
"We thought if it was Round 16 we would be picking the kid to play so we backed in our gut," Hardwick said ahead of the Grand Final parade.
"It's a great story and a lot of people will tell you that but the reality is that this kid can play. So we are excited to give him an opportunity, he's worked incredibly hard to get that and he's played some really good footy along the way.
"We think he is going to be a valuable player for us tomorrow."
Pickett came into the side for the injured Jack Graham after he dislocated his shoulder in the preliminary final against Geelong last week.
Hardwick said Pickett had plenty of strengths to his game that would trouble the Giants."
He has got some incredible ability to cover the ground, he uses the ball really well, he looks really composed, he's hard and tough as well," Hardwick said.
"You look as these sorts of players and he's 27 years of age and obviously he has had a couple of years out of the system but he looks a ready-made AFL player.
"We just look to him to bring his strengths and play with his effort and intent and all the things that make him a very good player.
"Hardwick admitted the Tigers had wanted to select Pickett for some time, but the team's form had made it hard for him to break in.But his performance in the VFL Grand Final last week could not be ignored.
"We probably started to solidify our side a bit and the unfortunate incident with Jack Graham opened that door," Hardwick said.
"But there is a couple of boys that were pretty stuff not to play as well, Jack Ross and Kamdyn McIntosh were very close as was Sydney Stack.
"We probably thought (Jack) Ross and (Kamdyn) McIntosh at the start were a little bit ahead.
"But (Pickett's) ability to play on the big stage, what we thought we would need with GWS ... we just had to balance our side with what it looks like and we thought and we thought he complemented the side that we were going to pick well. Marlion gets his chance and I'm sure he'll be a very good players for us.
"Hardwick did not expect Pickett to be overawed by the occasion, but moved to temper expectations on him by declaring he would not be the difference for the Tigers."I think he is just unfazed. Every challenge he has played at this year he has raised the bat," Hardwick said.
"Don't get me wrong, Marlion is an important player, but he is not going to be the difference in the game."We have got some really good players that we expect to play a great brand of footy against a formidable opponent in GWS.
"We just expect him to play his role, we don't expect him to be a matchwinner, but we look forward to him bringing his strengths in the big game."
SELECTION SHOCK
In a selection shock, the Tigers last night rolled the dice on the unsuspecting father-of-four who had been preparing “for a good pre-season” in a bid to earn an AFL debut next year.
The Grand Final call-up came four days after Pickett was best on ground for Richmond’s VFL side in its premiership win last Sunday and just 122 days after he was selected by the Tigers in the mid-season draft.
“I’m still pinching myself,” Pickett said.
“I dreamed of playing in a Grand Final but probably not this soon. Probably in the next couple of years.
“It’s a big achievement not just for me but my family as well. My family’s been on the journey with me through thick and thin and it just means a lot.
“My parents are flying over (from Perth). My dad’s scared of hopping on planes, but he’s facing his fears and I guess I’m facing mine.”
After being told of the news by coach Damien Hardwick yesterday afternoon, Pickett’s first phone call was to his long-time partner Jess who was “over the moon”.
“I think she was more cheery than I was. I was still trying to get my head around it,” Pickett said.
“I just never give up on my dreams. I got the opportunity to get drafted to Richmond and I just thought if I did get drafted, I would take every opportunity I can when I’m here. I’m just loving it here.”
Pickett, 27, spent two-and-half years in jail at a teenager for a string of minor burglary offences before turning his life around through football at WAFL club South Fremantle.
A self-proclaimed “relaxed guy”, Pickett admitted he was a little “nervous” about running out in front of 100,000 screaming fans at the MCG but Richmond coach Damien Hardwick had given him some sound advice.
“He said, ‘Be yourself, we don’t expect nothing more than you do when you play footy and just enjoy it’,” Pickett said.
“If I’m playing for my teammates I’ll do whatever I can to help them out and support them.”
Richmond football boss Neil Balme said Pickett was “the best equipped for what we needed” when match committee met yesterday, replacing injured midfielder Jack Graham.
“You pick your team for the game and who’s next best suited for the game and we think that’s Marlion,” Balme said.
“He’s a very talented player.”
Pickett becomes the sixth player to debut in a Grand Final but first since Collingwood’s Keith Batchelor in 1952.
The selection came hours after forward Jack Higgins returned to Richmond training at Punt Rd in a morale boost for the playing group, just two weeks after undergoing a second bout of brain surgery.
Originally published as AFL Daily: Rolling footy news for Thursday, September 26