Leading West Australian football writer Mark Duffield believes Richmond recruitment of talented, South Fremantle mature-age midfielder Marlion Pickett, via this week’s reintroduced AFL mid-season draft, is a huge bargain for the Tigers.
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Richmond took the 27-year-old with its only pick (No. 13 overall) in the draft despite the fact he re-broke his right index finger last weekend in just his second game this season and is expected to be sidelined for a couple of months.
Duffield is convinced Pickett has what it takes to seize the opportunity at the game’s highest level, that has been provided by the Tigers, and repay their faith in him.
“When Tim Kelly left to join Geelong, South Fremantle threw Pickett the challenge of filling Kelly’s boots. Big boots, but they were filled to overflowing for most of 2018 as Pickett took the role in his stride, culminating with four goals against West Perth in a qualifying final,” Duffield said.
“He had the sort of year, playing midfield for South Fremantle, that Kelly had in 2017, playing midfield for South Fremantle.
“I reckon this guy is the Rolls-Royce of second-tier footy in Australia. I think he’s the best talent in the second tier anywhere in the country.
“That’s just not factoring in age or anything like that; just looking at a player and going, he can run, he can jump, he can find the ball, he can use the ball, he’s brave, he’s got a little bit of mongrel in him, and he’s a super athlete.
“So I think there’s no reason why he shouldn’t translate to the AFL.”
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