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.
Bec Williams
5 min read
September 26, 2019 - 7:19PM
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.
Marlion Pickett of the Tigers is congratulated by his teammates after kicking a goal during the VFL Grand Final match between the Williamstown Seagulls and the Richmond Tigers at Ikon Park in Melbourne, Sunday, September 22, 2019. (AAP Image/Scott Barbour) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY
“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.”
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Marlion Pickett of the Tigers poses with his medal for best on ground during the VFL Grand Final match between the Richmond Tigers and Williamstown at Ikon Park on September 22, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
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.
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.
Updates
Adelaide defender Alex Keath has nominated the Western Bulldogs as his preferred home for next season.
Keath could join a Crows exodus with Josh Jenkins and Eddie Betts already flagging their desire to play elsewhere in 2020.
Alex Keath has informed the Adelaide Football Club that he would prefer to continue his career at the Western Bulldogs
"Defender Alex Keath has informed the Adelaide Football Club that he would prefer to continue his career at the Western Bulldogs.
"The club and Keath’s management team will work together to ensure a satisfactory outcome is reached for both parties during the upcoming trade period.
"The 27-year-old joined the Crows as a mature Category B rookie in 2016 and has since played 30 AFL games.
"The AFL trade period starts on Monday, October 7."
MORE TO COME
Breaking trade news
Al Paton
Adelaide defender Alex Keath has nominated the Western Bulldogs as his preferred home for next season.
Keath could join a Crows exodus with Josh Jenkins and Eddie Betts already flagging their desire to play elsewhere in 2020.
Alex Keath has informed the Adelaide Football Club that he would prefer to continue his career at the Western Bulldogs
"Defender Alex Keath has informed the Adelaide Football Club that he would prefer to continue his career at the Western Bulldogs.
"The club and Keath’s management team will work together to ensure a satisfactory outcome is reached for both parties during the upcoming trade period.
"The 27-year-old joined the Crows as a mature Category B rookie in 2016 and has since played 30 AFL games.
"The AFL trade period starts on Monday, October 7."
MORE TO COME
Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson tells us Marlion Pickett is set to play in Saturday's Grand Final!
It will be a huge call for the Tigers to hand their mid-season draft recruit his debut in the biggest game of the year.
UPDATE: Richmond has confirmed the news.
Pickett will replace Jack Graham, who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury.
The 27-year-old won the Norm Goss Medal for best on ground in last week's VFL Grand Final.
He was recruited from the WAFL, where he played his last game for South Fremantle on May 25. Despite suffering a broken finger he was snapped up by the Tigers in the mid-season draft in June. After recovering from the injury he made his VFL debut in August.
Jack Ross and Kamdyn McIntosh were rested from the VFL decider on the chance they may be needed this weekend, but both players seem set to miss out.
Richmond assistant coach Justin Leppitsch said this morning the Tigers were confident Pickett would handle the occasion.
"We think and the recruiters specifically have seen Marlion do well in big games in Perth," Leppitsch said.
"But our recruiters are of the opinion that he has done things like this a lot through his football career.
"Obviously, he's had a history in his life that's been troubled as well that he has been able to overcome to get to AFL, so we think he has overcome a lot in his life so this is probably nothing compared to most of that."
Leppitsch said Pickett had earned his chance to play on the biggest stage of the year.
"One thing people need to know, there is an emotional side to this story, but if he gets a game it is because of his football and what he has done on the field," Leppitsch said.
"Not because it's a great story or anything like that, it's because he's deserved his opportunity and he's the best available player for this week, irrespective of it's a Grand Final or anything like that.
"He has put his hand up to play this week. If it was Round 17, it won't be as big an issue, it's just the fact that it's such a big occasion and it probably becomes more of an exterior issue.
"If he plays this week, it's because he's earned it and he's been in pretty good form, so he's put his hand up to do it."
"Marlion adds a bit more of an X-factor."
Leppitsch said the Tigers had no trepidation launching Pickett's AFL career in a Grand Final.
"Not if he's ready," Leppitsch said.
"I think if you'd ask Marlion as well, he wouldn't care either, he'd want to play."
TAB has just added Pickett to its Norm Smith Medal market – he's $151 to win the best-on-ground medal double.
UPDATE: Pickett is now $51 just half an hour after Robbo revealed the news.
VFL/AFL GRAND FINAL DEBUTS
1908 – Harry Prout ESS (lost)
1920 – Billy James RICH (won)
1923 – George Rawle ESS (won)
1926 – Francis Vine MELB (won)
1952 – Keith Batchelor COLL (lost)
2019 – MARLION PICKETT RICH
(via @sirswampthing on Twitter)
Grand Final selection shock
Al Paton
Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson tells us Marlion Pickett is set to play in Saturday's Grand Final!
It will be a huge call for the Tigers to hand their mid-season draft recruit his debut in the biggest game of the year.
UPDATE: Richmond has confirmed the news.
Pickett will replace Jack Graham, who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury.
The 27-year-old won the Norm Goss Medal for best on ground in last week's VFL Grand Final.
He was recruited from the WAFL, where he played his last game for South Fremantle on May 25. Despite suffering a broken finger he was snapped up by the Tigers in the mid-season draft in June. After recovering from the injury he made his VFL debut in August.
Jack Ross and Kamdyn McIntosh were rested from the VFL decider on the chance they may be needed this weekend, but both players seem set to miss out.
Richmond assistant coach Justin Leppitsch said this morning the Tigers were confident Pickett would handle the occasion.
"We think and the recruiters specifically have seen Marlion do well in big games in Perth," Leppitsch said.
"But our recruiters are of the opinion that he has done things like this a lot through his football career.
"Obviously, he's had a history in his life that's been troubled as well that he has been able to overcome to get to AFL, so we think he has overcome a lot in his life so this is probably nothing compared to most of that."
Leppitsch said Pickett had earned his chance to play on the biggest stage of the year.
"One thing people need to know, there is an emotional side to this story, but if he gets a game it is because of his football and what he has done on the field," Leppitsch said.
"Not because it's a great story or anything like that, it's because he's deserved his opportunity and he's the best available player for this week, irrespective of it's a Grand Final or anything like that.
"He has put his hand up to play this week. If it was Round 17, it won't be as big an issue, it's just the fact that it's such a big occasion and it probably becomes more of an exterior issue.
"If he plays this week, it's because he's earned it and he's been in pretty good form, so he's put his hand up to do it."
"Marlion adds a bit more of an X-factor."
Leppitsch said the Tigers had no trepidation launching Pickett's AFL career in a Grand Final.
"Not if he's ready," Leppitsch said.
"I think if you'd ask Marlion as well, he wouldn't care either, he'd want to play."
TAB has just added Pickett to its Norm Smith Medal market – he's $151 to win the best-on-ground medal double.
UPDATE: Pickett is now $51 just half an hour after Robbo revealed the news.
And for Richmond, 2015 is increasingly being looked back on as that turning point year.
The 2015 rookie draft was actually held in November 2014, with the 2015 national draft staged in November 2015.
AAP
To hell with the heart attacks – AFL boss Gillon McLachlan would love extratime in Saturday’s Grand Final.
The margin in the last two GWS finals has been less than a goal and the league’s chief executive wants another close match to decide the premiership.
Three years ago, the league introduced two five-minute periods of extra time and then a golden score if the grand final ends in a tie.
It means no repeat of the 1977 and 2010 grand final replays.
McLachlan said on Thursday his appetite was whetted in July ,when he stayed up to watch the riveting cricket World Cup and men’s Wimbledon finals. It was the first Wimbledon final to feature a final-set tie break, while the World Cup also came down to extra overs.
“It’s been one of those years,” McLachlan said.
“One in three games has been an upset, one in five has been decided by less than 10 points.
“I was up that night, watching Wimbledon and the (cricket) World Cup – I did look ahead to this.
“It would be amazing if it happened, if it went into extra time. It would be an incredible thing.”
McLACHLAN HOPING FOR EXTRA TIME IN GRAND FINAL
AAP
To hell with the heart attacks – AFL boss Gillon McLachlan would love extratime in Saturday’s Grand Final.
The margin in the last two GWS finals has been less than a goal and the league’s chief executive wants another close match to decide the premiership.
Three years ago, the league introduced two five-minute periods of extra time and then a golden score if the grand final ends in a tie.
It means no repeat of the 1977 and 2010 grand final replays.
McLachlan said on Thursday his appetite was whetted in July ,when he stayed up to watch the riveting cricket World Cup and men’s Wimbledon finals. It was the first Wimbledon final to feature a final-set tie break, while the World Cup also came down to extra overs.
“It’s been one of those years,” McLachlan said.
“One in three games has been an upset, one in five has been decided by less than 10 points.
“I was up that night, watching Wimbledon and the (cricket) World Cup – I did look ahead to this.
“It would be amazing if it happened, if it went into extra time. It would be an incredible thing.”
Richmond young gun Jack Higgins has returned to Punt Rd for the first time since his most recent brain surgery to give his teammates a timely lift ahead of Saturday's Grand Final.
Tigers football boss Neil Balme said Higgins had received a positive report from his surgeon and had been given the all clear to "get moving" again.
The 20-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a brain bleed that caused him headaches in July.
He underwent a procedure in an initial attempt to fix the blood vessel problem, but needed more serious surgery earlier this month to correct the problem.
Balme hoped Higgins, who plans to attend the Grand Final on Saturday, was now back to "square one" with his recovery.
"It's lovely. He has got a really good report from his surgeon and he is feeling pretty good, so he has come back in for the first time," Balme said.
"I think he is going to get to the game on Saturday, which is good. Hopefully he is back to square one.
"He has kind of got the all clear to get moving I think. So he will start training as soon as he can, we haven't quite worked out what the program is, but they reckon he's pretty good.
"It's been a very positive report and they are happy with it and he is feeling comfortable and feeling good and he's keen to get started soon.
Balme said the players were all pumped to have Higgins back at the club.
"The boys are really keen to see him, which is terrific," Balme said.
"He is very excited about it (going to the Grand Final)."
HIGGINS RETURN GIVES TIGERS HUGE GRAND FINAL BOOST
By Rebecca Williams
Richmond young gun Jack Higgins has returned to Punt Rd for the first time since his most recent brain surgery to give his teammates a timely lift ahead of Saturday's Grand Final.
Tigers football boss Neil Balme said Higgins had received a positive report from his surgeon and had been given the all clear to "get moving" again.
The 20-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a brain bleed that caused him headaches in July.
He underwent a procedure in an initial attempt to fix the blood vessel problem, but needed more serious surgery earlier this month to correct the problem.
Balme hoped Higgins, who plans to attend the Grand Final on Saturday, was now back to "square one" with his recovery.
"It's lovely. He has got a really good report from his surgeon and he is feeling pretty good, so he has come back in for the first time," Balme said.
"I think he is going to get to the game on Saturday, which is good. Hopefully he is back to square one.
"He has kind of got the all clear to get moving I think. So he will start training as soon as he can, we haven't quite worked out what the program is, but they reckon he's pretty good.
"It's been a very positive report and they are happy with it and he is feeling comfortable and feeling good and he's keen to get started soon.
Balme said the players were all pumped to have Higgins back at the club.
"The boys are really keen to see him, which is terrific," Balme said.
"He is very excited about it (going to the Grand Final)."
