Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes has called out Melbourne list boss Tim Lamb’s vigorous claims that Kysaiah Pickett seeking a trade is “ludicrous.”
Despite being contracted for next season, Pickett’s name has been floated in trade talks in a move back to South Australia to join the Power.
Port footy boss Chris Davies downplayed the club’s link to the 21-year old, but did acknowledge it has interest in players who are interested in returning to SA.
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Lamb then further hosed down suggestions Pickett could be on the move.
“Any talk about ‘Kozzy’ leaving is absolutely ludicrous,” Lamb said on Monday.
“We love Kozzy, Kozzy loves us. There’s been no discussion about (a trade).
“All Kozzy talks about is how much he loves this footy club, so we’re a bit baffled about all that (rumours of a trade request).
“Chris Davies answered it really well last week that it’s never even been in consideration. It’s just crazy talk.”
However Cornes wasn’t buying Lamb’s comments, saying he believes Pickett has told those close to him his desire to leave the city Melbourne.
“That’s a lie. Kozzy Pickett has perhaps been telling Melbourne that he loves Melbourne, but he’s been telling a lot of other people that he’s pretty keen to get his way out of Melbourne,” the 300-gamer said on AFL Trade Radio.
“So clubs certainly in South Australia believe that Kozzy Pickett is gettable. It won’t be this trade period, but certainly this time next year, the talk around Kozzy Pickett will ramp up.
“So perhaps he’s naive in that or perhaps he’s spinning his way out of it, but there’s certainly some uncertainty about Kozzy Pickett’s future at Melbourne with where he sees his long-term future.
“It’s no reflection of Melbourne (the club), it’s just more where he wants to live and where he sees his long-term future.”
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Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd highlighted that the Demons face an “important” 12 months in trying to retain the exciting forward.
“To try and do their best, which I’m sure they always have with Kozzy, to keep him there long-term and try and keep him happy.
“I think he would love Melbourne as a football team, but not the place to live, so they’ve got some work to do to keep him.”
Pickett has emerged as one of the brightest young guns in the game and a key part od Melbourne’s forward line since joining the club with Pick 12 in the 2019 AFL Draft.
He’s booted 88 goals from 62 games including 41 majors this season as the Demons’ second leading goalkicker.
