Melbourne president Brad Green willing to hold Kysaiah Pickett against wishes, reveals asking price

If Kysaiah Pickett were to leave Melbourne, he would not go cheaply. President Brad Green has opened up on the club’s stance — and whether they’d hold the star against his wishes.

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Melbourne president Brad Green says the Demons want three first-round draft picks or a top-line player component in any end-of-season trade for dynamite playmaker Kysaiah Pickett.

Green said the club would be prepared to keep Pickett, 23, at the club next year against his wishes in the event he requested a trade to Fremantle for family reasons. But Green said the club’s asking price was three early picks for Pickett, who is contracted until the end of 2027.

“Whatever way this goes we will be OK,” Green said.

“We will either keep a highly talented A-grade player, who we all love, because he is a terrific guy and a unique talent, or another club – whether that is West Coast or Fremantle – it (trade) will be three first-round picks.

Melbourne president Brad Green (L) has put a hefty asking price on Kysaiah Pickett. Picture: Michael Klein

“And if we don’t get that quality of picks, or a player component, unfortunately ‘Kozzie’ you are not going. There is no negotiation. That is the reality of where it sits and he knows that.

“We all like to be romantic and loving and compassionate, but we are here to run a football club and he is not saying he wants to get out of the joint, there is more to it than that.”

It means Melbourne could yet end up losing its top two players from the 2019 draft after sending gun ruckman Luke Jackson to the Dockers for pick 13 and future first and second-round selections in 2022.

Pickett could join Luke Jackson at Fremantle next year. Picture: Michael Klein

But Green said the Demons would want even more for Pickett, who the president likened to Hawthorn champion Cyril Rioli.

“He is up there with the best small forwards, and I’m talking Stephen Milne and Cyril (Rioli),” he said.

“Cyril went into the midfield at certain times, but I think ‘Kossie’ can play more of a part in the midfield, because he adds a different dynamic to what we have got in there with Clarry (Clayton Oliver), Jack (Viney) and Christian (Petracca).

“But Kossie is different. Super talent. He can crumb, he can mark, and he doesn’t mind sitting on someone’s head.”

After a string of successful trades, Melbourne’s status as a destination club is under question after Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston backflipped on a decision to move to Melbourne and picked Collingwood last year.

Green said the Demons had room in the salary cap to bring in a top-line player in this year’s trade period. But the club was also aware it had to bring in more excellent young talent ahead of Tasmania’s entry into the AFL in 2028 after trading its top pick in this year’s draft to Essendon.

The Dees missed out on Dan Houston. Picture: Getty Images

Green said the club wanted to “build on the run”.

“We are in a strong position to go into the market and go and get a good player,” he said.

“In that that list management space, (list boss) Tim Lamb and (recruiting manager) Jason Taylor, have been unbelievable in picking talent.

“But players want to come to a club that is challenging. You have probably got 10-12 clubs who are out to win the flag, and if you are not, you aren’t going to get anyone.

“If you are bottom two or four, you are not going to get them. “