AFL star freed on bail after burglary charges

An AFL star has risked it all after allegedly robbing commercial properties of almost $400,000.

Marlion Pickett of the Richmond Tigers has been charged with burglary. Picture: Kelly Defina / Getty Images

Richmond AFL premiership player Marlion Pickett has been granted bail after he allegedly stole more than $380,000 during a string of burglaries of commercial properties.

The 31-year-old faced Perth Magistrates Court on Monday on at least 12 separate charges, including aggravated burglary, stealing and criminal damage.

The charges relate to a series of alleged incidents which police claim occurred between December 2022 and January 2023, during the AFL off-season.

Richmond premiership star Marlion Pickett has been charged with burglary. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Philip Gostelow

He walked out of court with his manager Anthony Van Der Wielen (left) after being granted bail. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Philip Gostelow

Pickett was arrested by WA Police on Sunday, only hours after helping the Richmond Tigers secure a 15-point win over the Fremantle Dockers at Perth stadium.

The Perth native was freed from custody just a day later after securing $50,000 bail and depositing a further $50,000 surety.

Pickett has played more than 70 games with the Richmond Tigers after making his debut in the 2019 AFL Grand Final – the first player to do so in almost 70 years.

In a statement, the Richmond Football Club told the ABC it “would continue to support Marlion and his family while these matters are dealt with”.

Mr Pickett is a star player for the Richmond Tigers. Picture: Darrian Traynor / AFL Photos via Getty Images

He will return to court at a later date. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Philip Gostelow

His Perth-based manager Anthony Van Der Wielen told the broadcaster the two-time premiership player intended to fight the charges.

“Due to the ongoing legal nature of the proceedings, Marlion, or myself will not be able to provide any further details, comment or clarification about the matter at this stage,” he said in a statement.

“We understand and respect the public’s interest in this matter, but we also implore all to respect the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise, and to allow the legal proceedings to follow their due course without prejudice.”

The AFL star will return to the same court in August.

Originally published as AFL star freed on bail after burglary charges