Marlion Pickett loving life at Tiwi Bombers in NTFL season 2024-25

Marlion Pickett joined the Tiwi Bombers, alongside two other ex-AFL players, mere days after his AFL career ended. It has sparked an exciting resurgence for the side. He talks about his experience.

Mere days after his AFL career came to an end, former Richmond star Marlion Pickett pulled on the boots for the Tiwi Bombers, playing a major part in their stunning NTFL resurgence.

The Bombers are known for being one of the most exciting clubs in the country, often lighting up the field with blazing runs, athletic marks and thrilling goals.

However, in recent years they’ve been unable to convert excitement into consistent success, missing out on four finals series in a row.

That will not be the case in season 2024-25 after an amazing turnaround for the side coinciding with the recruitment of some former AFL players including Pickett, Matthew Parker and Tom Phillips.

Marlion Pickett in the 2024-25 NTFL men's Round 2 match between Tiwi Bombers and PINT. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Pickett, in particular, brings experience and a willingness to fit in wherever the squad needs him, chiefly through the middle, but he has offered himself in the ruck too.

The two-time premiership winner with Richmond became famous for making his AFL debut in the 2019 grand final.

He went on to finish third in the Norm Smith Medal count with 22 disposals and a goal, and now he’s come north to play for Tiwi along with his wife Jessica Nannup who is playing for the club’s women’s team.

But as much as the 33-year-old loves footy, the trip north has been equally about inspiring and pushing the young Tiwi players and the community as a whole to be the best they can be.

“We’re learning a lot from them and they’re learning a lot from us on and off the field,” Pickett said.

“We’re just playing for them and the community, that’s what it’s all about when we get out there playing like a team and a family.

“It’s awesome to be up here, you just take a step back to see how special it all is and that just increases the buy in from us guys.

“The community on the islands love footy, it means so much to them to see this team succeed.”

Marlion Pickett playing for the Tiwi Bombers against the Darwin Buffaloes in Round 4 of the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Tiwi has been on the way up the past couple of years thanks largely the support and drive from fellow former AFL player Sam Darley and coach Patrick Bowden among many others.

But it’s the local talent, when given the time to shine, that’s been most crucial in Tiwi’s climb to third on the table after 13 rounds.

Anthony Munkara is a known human highlight reel while the likes of Kim Kantilla, Michael Thompson, Karlson Kantilla and Thaddeus Puautjimi produce moments of magic each week.

They’re among the ones that get the Tiwi supporters on their feet and the ones Pickett notes as causing the real change and success for the group.

Marlion Pickett playing for the Tiwi Bombers in the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: Jack Riddiford / AFLNT Media

“It’s good for the kids, there’s a lot of leaders in the room from the island so it’s great for the kids to go out and have fun while they’re cheered on by the Tiwi crowds,” Pickett said.

“It’s about believing in these young players, there’s not many people who believe in them outside the Tiwi Islands so when they come into the team we pump them up and get them believing.

“The whole team is full of prospects, everywhere you look they can all do something exciting so we just take a step back and let them do their thing, because when they’re on they’re on fire.”

Originally published as Marlion Pickett loving life at Tiwi Bombers in NTFL season 2024-25