Premiership hero Liam Picken has been quick to thank those who made his AFL dream a reality

PREMIERSHIP hero Liam Picken has been quick to thank those who made his AFL dream a reality after graduating from the VFL reserves with Williamstown.

Liam Picken was a star on Grand Final day. Picture: Getty Images

MICK Malthouse always had a nagging feeling about Liam Picken.

For four years the son of Magpies great Billy Picken sat under Collingwood’s nose at the club’s VFL affiliate, Williamstown.

“I remember having a conversation with Mick Malthouse at the end of 2007 and he said to me: ‘This kid Picken, he does a lot right doesn’t he? He’s just a bit scrappy’,” former Williamstown coach Brad Gotch recalled.

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“He was thinking about it, he could see something in him, but because of the fact that he did make a few errors with the ball and he looked a bit untidy, they couldn’t see him going through.”

Collingwood’s trash became the Western Bulldogs treasure when the Dogs took over the Williamstown alignment in 2008.

Liam Picken joins Jackson Macrae, Josh Dunkley and Toby McLean in celebration after the final siren. Picture: Getty Images

But the Bulldogs were flat broke and Picken’s move to the Whitten Oval only became possible after Williamstown offered to stump up $20,000 towards his AFL rookie contract.

Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron — then the Dogs’ midfield coach — was among those who pushed for Picken to get a crack at the highest level.

“We knew he was really competitive and that he could take a mark, so we thought, well why don’t we go there?” Cameron told the Herald Sun.

“He was tough and hard, and an outstanding competitor, and we’ve probably just seen that come to the fore over the past month.

“He just kept on persisting, and he’s got better and better and better.”

Long-time Williamstown chief executive Brendan Curry recruited Picken from Hamilton at the end of 2004.

He’d managed a few games for the North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup but was considered too scrawny and unskilled.

Picken started out in the VFL reserves and fought his way into the seniors, claiming the best and fairest in 2008.

Premiership star Liam Picken with his wife and kids after the final siren. Picture: David Caird

“We were probably a bit frustrated that none of the VFL-listed boys were being drafted,” Curry said.

“There were VFL players playing alongside AFL players and often the VFL players were better.

“In Liam’s first or second senior game Nathan Buckley was coming back from a bad hamstring injury and we played out at Box Hill and there were about 8000 people there.

“It was really hyped-up and Liam took a big screaming mark late in the last quarter and kicked the winning goal.”

Curry said he laughed when he recently heard a high-ranking Magpies official claim on radio that they were unable to secure Picken’s services ahead of the Bulldogs.

“The reason they couldn’t get him was because they didn’t pick him,” Curry quipped.

“He was right under their noses.

“We really believed in Pickers and so I came up with the idea that we’d pay $20,000 to the Bulldogs on the proviso that they pick him.”

Peter Gordon with players Tom Boyd, Liam Picken and Joel Hamling. Picture: David Caird

Picken, 30, fired off a text message to Curry after last week’s epic victory over the GWS and thanked him for his role in helping him reach the Grand Final.

“Gotchy was always pushing for me and Cuzz was amazing,” Picken said.

“I’m ever thankful to them for giving me the chance to play AFL football and it ends with a premiership.

“Williamstown was a fantastic club and I had a close group of mates down there. It seems so long ago but we were so close and we got to play against AFL footballers.

“You sort of knew you had the ability, you just needed the opportunity.”

As for being overlooked by Collingwood, Picken said: “They did ... but how good has it worked out? Going through the hard times down there and working my way up has made it even more special.”

Picken was unlucky to miss out on a Norm Smith Medal and was again in the votes as the club’s premiership celebrations at an inner-city bar spilled into the early hours of Sunday.

“He’s just a really great country kid with a never-say-die attitude and to be the player of the finals series is just rewards, I reckon,” Cameron said.

Despite his own team being bundled out by the Dogs juggernaut in the preliminary final, Cameron said he was happy for his old club.

Liam Picken shows off his trademark toughness during the Grand Final. Picture: Getty Images

“I was there 18 years as a player and a coach and it was fantastic to see Liam Picken, Dale Morris, Matthew Boyd and Easton Wood, all those guys you had something to do with just to name a few, to deliver what they’ve delivered,” he said.

“I’m just shattered it wasn’t us ... but in terms of what that club has been through ... it’s just a magnificent story.”

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Gotch said he wasn’t surprised by Picken’s matchwinning performance.

“He’s unbelievable in his mindset and his mental strength. I’m so proud of him,” he said.

“You never doubted that he would give 100 per cent — he was just that kind of guy.

“He would play his role for the team and when you needed him he’d stand up and do something special.”

Originally published as Premiership hero Liam Picken has been quick to thank those who made his AFL dream a reality