AFL 2022: Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb ‘baffled’ with rumours linking Kozzy Pickett to Port Adelaide

Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb has had his say on speculation linking promising forward Kozzy Pickett with Port Adelaide.

Demons list boss Tim Lamb says rumours of Kysaiah Pickett being unhappy at the club were unfounded. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb has rubbished suggestions livewire forward Kysaiah Pickett wants to leave the club as “crazy talk”.

Pickett has been linked with a move elsewhere since mid-year, with Port Adelaide the club most closely associated.

“Any talk about Kozzy leaving is absolutely ludicrous,” Lamb said.

“We love Kozzy; Kozzy loves us. There’s been no discussion about that. All Kozzy talks about is how much he loves this footy club. We’re a bit baffled about all that stuff – just crazy talk.”

But unrestricted free agent Jayden Hunt has signed with West Coast, with the Demons receiving a third-round selection – currently No.52 – as compensation for the defensive dasher.

Kysaiah Pickett is a major part of Melbourne’s forward line. Picture: Mark Stewart

Pickett was the second of the club’s two first-round picks in 2019, behind Luke Jackson, who has requested a trade home to a Western Australian club.

The 21-year-old small forward grew up in regional WA, where his mother is from, but relocated to South Australia, the state he represented in his draft year.

He has kicked at least 40 goals in each of the past two seasons and he finished eighth in Melbourne’s best and fairest count this year.

The Demons and Dockers met on Monday for preliminary discussions on Jackson, who Melbourne wants multiple first-round picks for, including at least one in the top 10.

Jackson is expected to join Fremantle but Eagles list manager Rohan O’Brien said they had not given up on winning the Melbourne ruckman’s services.

Luke Jackson is in Fremantle and West Coast’s sights after requesting a trade from Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

O’Brien said West Coast would consider ‘splitting’ pick two for two lower selections to put together a package to satisfy the Demons.

Dockers list boss David Walls said Jackson’s potential to play a role similar to Geelong star Mark Blicavs appealed to his club.

“It’s still early days,” Walls told Trade Radio.

“(Luke’s) indicated that he’d like to come to WA and we’d love to have him ... he hasn’t actually chosen Fremantle but he wants to come back to WA.

“It’s basically up to us to work with the Dees to get the deal done.”

Originally published as AFL 2022: Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb ‘baffled’ with rumours linking Kozzy Pickett to Port Adelaide