Bolter has earned his stripes, say the Tigers
Richmond coach has no doubts that Marlion Pickett will stand tall when he makes his AFL debut in the grand final
RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick says the Tigers are not expecting September bolter Marlion Pickett to be the matchwinner in today’s AFL grand final against the Giants.
As they target their second flag in three seasons, the Tigers have made the massive call to select Pickett for his first AFL game in the decider.
Set to become the first player since 1952 to make his debut in a VFL/AFL grand final, the mature-age, mid-season recruit said yesterday that he was willing to do the hard stuff required to help his team tackle the hard-edge Giants.
Hardwick was confident 27year-old Pickett would not be overawed by the occasion, but did not expect him to be the difference for the Tigers.
“He is just unfazed. Every challenge he has played at this year he has sort of raised the bar,” Hardwick said.
“Don’t get me wrong, Marlion is an important player, but he is not going to be the difference in the game.
“We have got some really good players that we expect to play a great brand of footy against a formidable opponent in GWS.
“We just expect him to play his role, we don’t expect him to be a matchwinner, but we look forward to him bringing his strengths in the big game.”
The door opened for Pickett when Jack Graham was ruled out during the week after suffering a dislocated shoulder in last week’s preliminary final against Geelong.
But while Pickett was elated with his elevation – which led his parents, Thomas and Angela, to fly across the country from Perth yesterday to see him play – he was sparing a thought for Jack Ross and Kamdyn McIntosh, who were overlooked.
“It’s mixed emotions … I still can’t believe it,” Pickett said.
“I was really happy (but) felt for Jack Ross and Kamdyn McIntosh. I didn’t really know what to think yesterday.”
Pickett said he had been shocked by the number of wellwishers who had contacted him, including his South Fremantle coach, Todd Curley, and former Tiger and Magpie Andrew Krakouer, who also went to prison before resurrecting his football career.
“My story is a good story, but it is life, I guess,” said Pickett, who spent two-and-a-half years in jail as a teenager for minor burglary offences.
“His (Krakouer’s) is a good story … I am just looking to change for the better for my kids.”
Pickett’s four children – Marlion Jr, 9, Latrelle, 7, Shani
qua, 4, and two-year-old Levi – carpooled with him and three other teammates at the grand final parade yesterday.
Hardwick said Pickett had earned his chance to show what he could do.
“We thought if it was round 16 we would be picking the kid to play, so we backed in our gut,” he said.
“It’s a great story and a lot of people will tell you that, but the reality is that this kid can play, so we are excited to give him an opportunity.”
Hardwick admitted he had wanted to pick Pickett for some time, but said the team’s form had made it hard for him to break in. But Pickett’s performance in the VFL grand final last week could not be ignored.
“You look as these sorts of players and he’s 27 years of age and obviously he’s had a couple of years out of the system, but he looks a ready-made AFL player,” Hardwick said.
Pickett said: “Hopefully, as the game goes on, I will get a touch, but if not I will be happy to just put the pressure on.”
The Giants, into their first grand final in their eighth AFL season, trained on Friday morning at the MCG.
“Everyone is really excited, lot of smiles,” Giants captain Phil Davis told reporters.
“We understand that it’s an important occasion, a big deal, but we understand the basic fundamentals of football will take over tomorrow.”
Hundreds of orange-clad spectators watched coach Leon Cameron put his players through a light run before the grand final parade.
Cameron predicted a game where winning contested ball would be king and said only a merciless approach would secure victory for his side.
“We have built a brand in the last three or four years that we like contested football ... but so do Richmond,” he said.
“In finals footy you push the line in terms of attack of the footy but our tackle pressure has been first rate, along with the Tigers as well.
“I don’t think that is pushing the line. It’s just the basic fundamentals of the game.
“We were in that position where we were cut-throat and we had to win and so we have raised the stakes on our tackle pressure.”
‘‘ THE REALITY IS THAT THIS KID CAN PLAY, SO WE ARE EXCITED TO GIVE HIM AN OPPORTUNITY. — DAMIEN HARDWICK ON MARLION PICKETT