Richmond have officially named VFL decider best-on-ground Marlion Pickett in their side to take on the Giants in this Saturday’s AFL grand final..
Mark Robinson of the Herald Sun, Fox Footy’s Tom Morris and Peter Ryan of The Age originally reported Pickett would be included in Richmond’s side when named later this evening.
He is set to become the first person to make their debut in a grand final since Keith Batchelor did so for Collingwood in 1952.
Pickett, 27, was selected by Richmond from South Fremantle in the WAFL with pick no.13 in this year’s inaugural mid-season draft following Shaun Grigg’s injury-forced retirement.
He recently won the Norm Goss medal as best afield in the VFL grand final, collecting 20 disposals and nine tackles.
His tackling pressure around the ball makes him a handy replacement for the injured Jack Graham, who has been an important defensive force in the Tiger midfield this season.
Upon recruiting him initially, Richmond recruiting manager Matt Clarke had this to say to the club website.
“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.
“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.”
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
A Norm Smith to go with Norm Goss would be nice...but... Carn the Giants!
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
What evidence do you have of this "obsession"? It's hardly a pattern. Just as many 'feel bad' stories with good players unluckily left out. Not every action in footy is a failure of humanity. You seem to think it is.
Slane
Guest
Hardwick said that if it was round 16 he would be debuting. They treat match selection the same as they do every week.
anon
Roar Pro
This selection shows the wrong attitude. Much like the Crows dog treatment of Lever and that pre-occupation with the wide stance. They already think they have one hand on the cup. Richmond are becoming obsessed with feel good stories and being good blokes. There's just no reason to debut someone in a Grand Final. If they were playing Colllingwood I guarantee there's no chance they would have done it.
Nick
Roar Guru
I genuinely think not. If anything, Richmond don't want to be known as the team that lost to GWS on the big day. They are picking their best 22.
Nick
Roar Guru
Nah...Scott would have dropped Dangerfield for Pickett, and would have said because of the weather. That's the type of lunacy he's renowned for.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
I hate to be a curmudgeon but I wonder if the Tiges are barracking more for 'the story' rather than replacing like with like. Ross in particular must be feeling cut.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
He must be an exceptional talent for the Tigers even to consider it, let alone select him for the GF. Good luck.
Yawn of the Dead
Guest
nice one Donald. just a little stiletto on the way thru. front and centre, like.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
We are all brothers and sisters, bro.
IAP
Guest
Gutsy move. Risky move. He's got a great goal kicking action though - some seasoned AFL players should watch his run-up.
Raimond
Roar Guru
Contrary approaches from the combatants: the Giants go conservative with an elite mid & club favourite, while the Tigers throw in an untested player. It would be interesting to know what the Giants camp think of this. I was bemused by this comment from RoCo; if I were a Richmond fan, I'd be worried about this kind of attitude seeping into the players' minds. https://twitter.com/rohan_connolly/status/1177165590437384193
anon
Roar Pro
This is one of those hero selections you'd expect from Chris Scott, not Hardwick
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Came from the Manjimup area in the sth west, would be related somewhere along the line unsure how close though.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Any relation to Byron Pickett?
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Wow, Marlon Pickett now I want Tigers to win, this would be amazing if he walked away as a premiership player, what a story.
DTM
Guest
Good luck to the debutant. I'm expecting a Tigers win so 1 game for a premiership medallion is pretty good. It is hard not to think about all those greats that played 250+ games over 10-15 seasons and not got a medal because they were in a dud team.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He is a Tim Kelly/Paddy Dangerfield hybrid. Dustin Martin with polish. Just pick the best if those available. That's Pickett. Better than Graham, too.
Slame
Guest
Wowee.
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
goodluck Marlon pickett.