Marlion Pickett, who famously made his debut in the 2019 grand final, has announced his retirement, and will end his AFL career following Richmond’s match on Saturday at the MCG against Gold Coast and former coach Damien Hardwick.
The 32-year-old was taken in the 2019 mid-season rookie draft, and has played 90 games for the Tigers.
Debut to remember: Marlion Pickett with the premiership cup in 2019.Credit: Getty Images
The mature-aged draftee from Western Australia was then a 27-year-old father of four, who did jail time as a teenager.
“It’s been a good journey… I did not even think I was ever going to get drafted,” he said in a club statement on Thursday.
“To be drafted in black and yellow is an honour and to wear it is even more special.
“My past and the way I grew up is different to everyone else’s, and it was not easy to get drafted. I got overlooked for six or seven years and 2019 I was about to quit all my dreams.
“I had some people in my corner, and they told me to stick at it … They told me just to give it another year.
“Five years, it felt like 10 years … but the sweat, blood and tears it was a pleasure and doing it with the bunch of guys it was really special.
“I am so proud to be a Richmond man, and I am going to miss the footy.”
More to come
With AAP
