In a special series leading into this week’s AFL national and rookie drafts, Richmond Media has been looking at those members of the Tigers’ 2020 premiership team who have proven to be brilliant, bargain-basement buys for the Club, with a specific focus on the start of their Tigerland journey. We conclude today with dual premiership player Marlion Pickett.

What Richmond’s National Recruiting Manager Matt Clarke said about Pickett after he was drafted

Richmond has used its only pick (No.13 overall) in Monday night's 2019 mid-season rookie draft to select West Australian midfielder Marlion Pickett.

The 27-year-old dual South Fremantle club champion shone during last year's WAFL finals series, but suffered a setback re-breaking his right index finger on Saturday in just his second game for the year.

His current injury

“I don't think there is any concerns from us about the finger. Being a long-term selection, we think it's an opportunity to get Marlion in now . . . and an injury like this will set him back a little bit from training, but we think long-term it will be good for us.”

What attracted the Club to Pickett

“We've liked his talent for a number of years, playing a lot of half-back, but probably moving into the midfield last year at South Fremantle and showing he can be a really strong presence in there as a clearance player, he's really good aerially, and can really kick the ball a long way, so we're really excited.”

His future at Tigerland

“He's played a lot of footy now at WAFL-level and we think his body is conditioned to that, but he hasn't actually been belted around a little bit at AFL-standard, so we think there's a little bit more left in him. You never put an end limit on his time with us, so we think that he's got a lot of footy left in him.” 

Richmond Media article on Pickett being selected to make a fairytale AFL debut in the 2019 Grand Final

Richmond midfielder Marlion Pickett will make his AFL debut for the Tigers in Saturday's 2019 AFL Grand Final. 

Pickett, 27, will replace injured midfielder, Jack Graham who was ruled out this week with a shoulder dislocation.

After just four months in the AFL system, he will be the sixth player to debut in an VFL/AFL Grand Final, and the first in 67 years.

Pickett arrived at Tigerland as a two-time best and fairest winner from South Fremantle in the WAFL, as pick No. 13 in the mid-season draft.

After recovering from a finger injury sustained before his arrival, Pickett played his first game in the Yellow and Black for the VFL Tigers in Round 18. He went on to play every game for the remainder of the season, playing a huge role in Richmond VFL’s premiership campaign.

Showcasing his experience and capability in big games, Pickett received the Norm Goss Medal for best afield in Richmond VFL’s Grand Final victory on Sunday.

AFL.com.au article on Pickett’s stunning senior debut for Richmond in the 2019 Grand Final

This was the roar that will be remembered. Midway through the third term, with the game already sewn up, Marlion Pickett trotted down the wing of the MCG. Pickett, as we came to find in Saturday's Grand Final, glides but few can catch him.

This time, with a Giant on either side, the 27-year-old Richmond debutant chipped a ball the way of champion teammate Dustin Martin. He had already supplied a goal to Martin earlier in the game, as Richmond set up its win in the second term.

Martin was 40 metres out and only on a slight angle, well within his rights to have a shot at goal. But Pickett had kept running. He had found space directly in front of goal, a little closer than Martin. Martin sensed the occasion, spotted Pickett and found him with a quick pass. The MCG crowd rose to its feet before the first-gamer had even gotten back to the end of his mark.

People at Richmond spoke of Pickett's demeanour this week, saying he wouldn't be daunted by the occasion, the expectation, the story. He certainly wasn't at this moment, as he calmly walked into goal and converted his shot. The dominant Richmond crowd lifted, aware this was the cherry on top of a brilliant story.

As Pickett's kick sailed through, and he lifted his right arm to celebrate, his low-key reaction was swamped by that of his exuberant teammates, with every single Tiger running to join in the fun. Pickett's tale will forever be entwined with Richmond's 2019 glory.

Pickett was the central figure. His place in football folklore was etched even before the game, when the Tigers made him the first Grand Final debutant since 1952. Even if he didn't have a kick, his story would have been remarkable. That Pickett was superb adds to the legend.

In his first game – let that never be forgotten – Pickett excelled. He started on the bench, but quickly found the pace of the clash and by quarter-time had gathered five disposals. He was up to 11 by half-time, before exploding in the third term with several bursting runs. He made the Members' wing his own, and didn't waste a possession. Pickett finished with 22 disposals – the equal-second highest of any Tiger. 

In terms of the game, it didn't mean too much. The Tigers were home already, and the Giants had not fired a shot since midway through the first term. If the stakes were bigger, and the game tighter, Martin probably would have taken the responsibility on himself. But he didn't have to, such was the lack of pressure or intensity from Greater Western Sydney, and Pickett's goal extended their lead to 54 points. 

As usual, the Richmond goal came after a wave of momentum, as the Tigers swept the ball forward, eventually getting it into the hands of Pickett, who passed to Martin, who got it back to Pickett. 

But it was actually Pickett who had provided his own cameos in the second quarter as Richmond made its charge. He had spun out of the centre and offered a blind turn, wrongfooting Giants star Lachie Whitfield, before passing to Jason Castagna deep in attack. Pickett had also set up a goal for Martin with a tumbling left-foot kick in the second quarter.

By Pickett's goal, Richmond's supporters knew they had secured another flag – the premiership they probably thought they should have taken out last season when their dominant campaign fell short. Pickett's goal was party time . . .

Marlion Pickett fact file

Draft history: Richmond’s sole selection (No. 13 overall) in the 2019 AFL mid-season rookie draft.

AFL debut: 2019 Grand Final v Greater Western Sydney, MCG.

Total games: 20

Goals: 5

Playing honours: Dual premiership player 2019, 2020.