AFL 2024: Richmond premiership star Marlion Pickett’s Perth court appearance adjourned

After his Perth court appearance was adjourned, Tiger Marlion Pickett will have to wait to enter pleas to multiple charges – will he be available for Opening Round?

Richmond premiership player Marlion Pickett will have to wait to enter pleas to multiple charges, including aggravated burglary, after his latest court appearance was adjourned.

Pickett was set to face Perth Magistrates Court on Friday, January 19, over allegations of his involvement in a series of commercial burglaries in December 2022 and January 2023.

The 32-year-old has been accused of being involved in the theft of more than $300,000, including the ransacking of safes at currency exchange businesses.

Pickett is also accused of being part of a plan to transport the money across Australia in a campervan.

The offences are alleged to have happened in the Perth suburbs of Beechboro and Girrawheen, as well as Beverley.

Pickett was granted bail in June, 2023, after spending a night in custody just hours after helping Richmond to a 15-point win over Fremantle at Perth Stadium.

Marlion Pickett outside Perth Magistrates Court in June last year. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Philip Gostelow

The police prosecutor said it would be alleged that a campervan, hired in Pickett’s name, was driven interstate with sums of $6000 and $9000 later deposited into his bank account

In June 2023, his Perth-based manager Anthony Van Der Wielen said Pickett intended to defend himself against 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 in June, 2023.

“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 premiership Tiger at pre-season training in November. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

He was set to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday to face 12 charges, including three counts of stealing, four counts of aggravated burglary and commit, three counts of criminal damage or destruction of property, and one of receiving.

However, Pickett did not have to appear in Perth and the matter was adjourned to March 1, 2024, with the matter listed as a committal mention in Perth Magistrates Court.

Pickett did not play in round 14 after his arrest, however he returned after the club’s round 15 bye to play the remainder of the season.

Richmond’s official pre-season game against Collingwood is set for Tuesday, February 27, meaning Pickett’s committal mention will fall in between the pre-season clash and the Tigers’ Opening Round match against Gold Coast Suns on March 9.

Pickett will likely be excused from appearing, or be able to appear via phone, on March 1.

It is unclear whether the court appearance will impact potential selection in the match with the Suns eight days later.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Richmond premiership star Marlion Pickett’s Perth court appearance adjourned