Melbourne are increasingly confident Kysaiah Pickett will sign a contract extension, as the dynamic forward extends his talent into the midfield.
Pickett, the 21-year-old premiership player, is off contract at the end of the season and garnered interest from Port Adelaide in last year’s trade period. He shifted from Western Australia to boarding at Prince Alfred College in South Australia in year 11.
While the Demons have been keen to keep contract negotiations quiet, head of football Alan Richardson said discussions with Pickett’s manager Peter Rohde, the former Melbourne player and Power football boss, were progressing well.
The Demons are working towards a contract extension with livewire forward Kysaiah Pickett.Credit:Getty Images
“Discussions have been really positive. His manager, Peter Rhode, is a ripper. He has been really transparent. We would hope that we could get something done sooner rather than later,” Richardson told The Age.
“We don’t want to rush him [Pickett]. It’s a big decision, but it is certainly tracking the right way.”
Pickett has made it clear he loves playing with the Demons. Richardson said he believed Pickett, who booted 41 goals last season, behind only Bayley Fritsch (55), wanted to stay.
“I do. I think, as I said, I think it’s heading the right way. We would rather it be done tomorrow, but these things take time, and rightfully so. It’s a big decision, but we are pretty comfortable where it sits,” he said.
Industry sources say the Demons are keen to give Pickett a long-term contract, but just want him to be happy. The Age has previously reported that list managers of rival clubs value Pickett at about $600,000 a season.
While many clubs are expected to show interest in the speedy forward if negotiations drag on, having the assets to do a deal is another question.
The Power do not have a first-round pick this year, having ceded it last year to snare the disgruntled Jason Horne-Francis from North Melbourne. Adelaide, despite plucking Izak Rankine from the Gold Coast last year, could pounce.
The Demons, seeking to rebound after last year’s finals flameout, are keen to expand Pickett’s game, believing a shift to the midfield will aid his development, and conversely that of gun midfielders Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney and Christian Petracca, who can spend more time forward.
“He has got some real attributes to be able to read the ball off hands. His work, whether it be crumbing in a stoppage situation, or even just general contest through the midfield, he is able to get a bit of time and space because of his step,” Richardson said.
“His execution is not unlike … Lachie Hunter’s – pretty exceptional. We are keen for ‘Kos’ to spend a bit more time in and around there.”
Hunter has linked with the Demons and impressed through the summer, having been a premiership player with the Western Bulldogs.
Richardson said Pickett’s move had been sparked more by the coaches, rather than Pickett pushing for change.
“I think most small forwards, because generally you have someone all over you, it’s just good to be able to have a bit of a break-up through the midfield,” Richardson said.
“We are not necessarily doing it for that reason. We are doing it because we think he can make us better. We also think it will give some of our great contest players, like Viney and Petracca, Christian has already been doing it, Clayton has been spending a bit more time forward, we think that can help us as well.”
Richardson said the Demons are likely to wait until Wednesday morning, just hours before the supplemental selection period closes, to determine whether former Port Adelaide rookie Trent Burgoyne, the son of Power great Peter, or Old Haileybury backman Kye Turner, win a spot on the club’s rookie list.
Both men took to the training track on Monday. Burgoyne has overcome a hamstring issue to perform strongly recently, while Turner is seeking a spot in defence.
How the Demons hope to rebound in 2023: See the full story in this week’s Sunday Age.
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