Richmond’s general manager of football talent Blair Hartley has paid tribute to dual premiership Tiger Marlion Pickett for the progressing professional approach he’s taking with his football.
Pickett, recruited by Richmond from WAFL club South Fremantle with pick 13 overall in the 2019 AFL mid-season rookie draft, had an incredible instant impact at Punt Road, starring in the Tigers’ Grand Final triumph over Greater Western Sydney that season on debut at the game’s highest level.
Since that amazing fairytale story, Pickett has gone on to be a valuable contributor in the Richmond line-up.
The 30-year-old finished equal eighth in this year’s Jack Dyer Medal, following a season where he averaged 16.1 disposals, 6.2 contested possessions, 4.6 marks, 3.3 inside-50s, 4.7 intercepts, 4.6 score involvements, 2.9 tackles and 339.7 metres gained in his wing role.
“I think he’s improved every year he’s been with us,” Hartley said on the final 2022 episode of the Club’s premier podcast Talking Tigers.
“You think about his exposure to the elite pathway, he really had none . . . Now he gets the training habits.
“He’s training his bum off over in Perth right now.
“He keeps updating us on what he’s doing, and he’s really motivated to have a good year next year.
“I’m really excited about him.”
