Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett on his huge game against the Dockers – and that celebration

In what was arguably the best individual performance of the season, Kysaiah Pickett made a mockery of Fremantle on Saturday – in more ways than one. But, what’s next?

As the distance increased between Kysaiah Pickett and chasing Fremantle defender Josh Draper, the Melbourne star could not resist digging into his celebration toolkit.

He looked back towards Draper and flashed a peace sign his way in the style of Miami Dolphins NFL wide receiver Tyreek Hill before slamming through an important third-quarter goal.

“I saw that in an NFL highlights video, so I had to do it. I did it a few years ago and brought it back, because it just felt in the moment,” Pickett told the Herald Sun after the Demons’ stirring 10-point win.

“I think it was Tyreek … I just thought it was cool, so I went for it.”

Cheeky Pickett kicks a goal

Pickett, who finished with 5.2 from 24 disposals in arguably the best individual performance this season, said discipline and selflessness from his teammates had allowed him to shine.

“It all comes back to the team … them playing their roles, and helping me be able to go forward and go in the midfield,” Pickett said.

“It’s not just me, it’s the people around me that help me be able to express myself playing my football.

“(The midfield) it does give me a bit more freedom, being up the ground. I get to run a bit more, with a lot more space.”

Pickett missed the start of the last two seasons with suspensions for high bumps, but showed improved judgment when he reined himself in at the last moment as he approached Fremantle wingman Jeremy Sharp side-on in heavy traffic during the second quarter.

“Definitely I’ve done a lot of work on it … I don’t want to get suspended anymore,” he said.

“I’m just trying to be a lot more safe and look after other players. I just want to play as many games as I can without missing any.”

Kysaiah Pickett looks back at Docker Joshua Draper before running into goal. Picture: Michael Klein

And hugging coach Simon Goodwin after the win. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos

The 23-year-old, who is widely expected to leave Melbourne for Western Australia at the season’s end, said it was “very special” to play against his cousin Isaiah Dudley on the MCG after the Dockers recruited the 168cm forward during the SSP window in February.

Dudley came on as the sub in the third term and kicked a high-pressure set shot goal to preserve the Dockers’ hopes of a comeback.

“(Dudley) is my little brother … like we went to school together, we played a lot of juniors together and at high school,” Pickett said.

“He’s been talking to me every year about how to get better, and just keep giving him a lot of advice about how to get to the top.

“Credit to him, he’s been able to keep ticking away every year, and he’s finally on a list. It was very special to play out there with him.”

Pickett hoped the win could be the start of a turn in fortunes for his side, as they prepare to face Richmond and West Coast in the next fortnight.

“We definitely didn’t have the start to the year that we wanted. That was a confidence booster, and it could kickstart our year,” he said.

Originally published as Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett on his huge game against the Dockers – and that celebration