How many AFL recruiting and list managers wish they could revisit one draft with the benefit of hindsight?
Melbourne called on exhilarating small forward Kysaiah Pickett at No.12 in the 2019 national draft. Some clubs with picks soon after were crestfallen at missing the chance to recruit Pickett, particularly Port Adelaide, who have eagerly chased the South Australian in recent trade periods.
Kysaiah Pickett is in a form slump.Credit: AFL Photos
The Western Bulldogs’ first pick that year was No.15. They selected another small forward, Cody Weightman. Today, the Bulldogs would have no regrets.
It might have been a different situation on draft night in 2019 because Melbourne seemed to make an inspired choice with Pickett – and quickly saw the proof on the field.
Pickett’s explosive athleticism and dynamic playing style thrust much-needed energy into the Melbourne attack. His ability to generate scoring opportunities and his relentless pressure on defenders had an immediate return for the Demons.
In just his second season, Pickett played in all 25 games of Melbourne’s 2021 premiership-winning campaign. His influence was profound, attacking with 40 goals and defending with 87 tackles.
Pickett’s defensive weapons, raw speed and mercurial opportunism around goal drew comparisons to Hawthorn premiership hero Cyril Rioli. It was not far-fetched to suggest he would surpass Rioli as the superior player.
But Pickett peaked in 2021. His numbers have plateaued since.
He was held scoreless in Saturday night’s win against St Kilda. He had only four touches – he has managed fewer than 10 possessions in four of his past seven games. He has kicked just seven goals in this time. He is coasting and needs to work harder.
Compare this to Weightman, who is thriving. He has averaged 13 touches in his past seven games and has kicked 19 goals.
Pickett had a brilliant debut season.Credit: Getty Images
Weightman is a different type of small forward to Pickett. His strength is his aerial power. He hurts the opposition on the lead, fools defenders with repeated leads and never stands still. But he also plays with an intensity and enthusiasm that infects the rest of the team.
Weightman, Collingwood’s Jamie Elliott, Giants captain Toby Greene and, despite a mid-season quiet patch, Charlie Cameron, have set themselves apart from the rest as the game’s hottest small forwards.
Pickett has significant athletic advantages. He is more talented than this group, but right now, his work rate and output is far short of them.
Pickett signed a lucrative four-year contract extension in May after being heavily courted by Port Adelaide. Industry sources have pegged this deal to be worth $650,000-$750,000 a season.
Cody Weightman celebrates a goal.Credit: AFL Photos
There is a long history of players whose form has suffered after signing a long-term contract. It can be a curse.
Subconsciously, players can become comfortable knowing their future is guaranteed. Sometimes, without them even realising it, it can mean they don’t play on the edge.
Pickett’s strength when he burst into the league in 2020 was built on his need to live up to expectation as a first-round draftee.
Since round eight, when he extended his contract, he has averaged nine possessions, one goal and four tackles. Those statistics read as the markings of a player whose position in the side should be under threat.
For Melbourne to be a genuine premiership threat this season, Pickett must rediscover his hunger. This could come from more midfield minutes and centre-bounce appearances.
At the start of the year, coach Simon Goodwin spruiked Pickett’s ability to play in the midfield and work at centre bounces. Despite this, Pickett has attended 40 centre bounces this year but has not been seen at one since round 10. Not even the absence of Clayton Oliver due to injury has changed this.
Brownlow Medal fancy Christian Petracca will now be required to play forward to help solve the Demons’ scoring woes, and with Oliver unlikely to return this season, Melbourne’s midfield needs a new spark.
Jack Viney, Tom Sparrow, Angus Brayshaw and James Jordon all give admirable effort and are good in the contest, but they do not do damage with their possessions. Compare this to their Brisbane Lions midfield opponents in Friday night’s blockbuster match-up, and Goodwin should be worried. The Lions have Lachie Neale, Will Ashcroft, Hugh McCluggage, and Zac Bailey, all deadly with ball in hand.
This gives the Lions a significant advantage. As a countermeasure, Goodwin should unleash Pickett in the midfield.
Pickett’s form will only improve, regardless of where he plays, if his effort increases and he rediscovers his hunger. He might need to study the work of Weightman, the man the Demons overlooked in favour of Pickett at the draft four seasons ago.
