Richmond’s Marlion Pickett says he hasn’t looked back since switching off social media. Plus how he feels about a new role and what his future holds beyond this year.
David King and Daniel Hoyne take a look at the stats and trends from round nine of the 2023 AFL season
His handle – @pickett_marls50 – has more than 17,000 followers and is often tagged by Richmond’s own account, as well as fans and other AFL pages.
But Pickett doesn’t see himself tagged in such posts, and there is nothing to see on his account anymore.
He has deleted all of his old posts and even ditched his profile picture after swearing off social media.
Like many Indigenous AFL players, he was targeted with racist remarks too many times.
“I tried to delete it (Instagram) completely but it’s still up there,” Pickett said.
“I’ve got no social media now, which is really cool. Private life’s a good life.
“It kind of just distracted me from what I needed to do and focus on. A lot of messages came from outside the footy club, which weren’t too great. So I just wanted to scrap all that.”
Richmond’s Marlion Pickett has stopped using all social media after copping too much racist abuse. Picture: Michael Klein
Pickett doesn’t think all other AFL players should have to do the same, but instead believes that social media companies need to do more to limit racial abuse.
“When is it going to stop?” he said.
“Instagram and Facebook should make it so that if you open an account you should use verified IDs so they can track them down. Too many people were making fake accounts up and not getting caught, which is a bit sad.
“I don’t think we’re ever going to get rid of racism. There’s always going to be a few people that still do it. But I think the AFL has come a long way since the Nicky Winmar stand.”
In his fifth season at Punt Rd, Pickett is preparing for his first Dreamtime game at the MCG on Saturday night, where his background and culture will be celebrated.
The two-time premiership player famously performed a powerful pre-game war dance with his Richmond teammates last year, but then spent the rest of the evening in the stands after being suspended for a high bump on Hawthorn’s Dylan Moore a week earlier.
It was a double blow, given Pickett and his partner, Jessica Nannup, had designed the Tigers’ Dreamtime jumper last season.
“It kind of did hurt,” Pickett said of the suspension.
“I was really looking forward to that game and the family were also. But I still played my part and still represented the club.”
Marlion Pickett was part of Richmond’s pre-game war dance before the Dreamtime game last year. Picture: Michael Klein
The bump on Moore did not result in a free kick against Pickett at the time, but he has been known for giving away a few frees given the tough way he plays the game.
In 2021, Pickett recorded 34 free kicks against – an average of 1.9 a game – which ranked him among the worst offenders in the competition.
However, this season he has dropped that figure to an average of 1.2 free kicks against per game, much to the delight of coach Damien Hardwick.
“He (Hardwick) likes me playing on the edge, but he wanted me backing off a little bit on the free kick part,” Pickett said.
“I’ve been up there in the high tackle free kicks, so it’s about trying to get low and sticking them instead of staying upright and catching them high.
“I don’t want to be known for always leading the free kick count, so it’s a work in progress.”
Marlion Pickett played a different role against Geelong last week, spending most of his time in the forward line. Picture: Michael Klein
Pickett has made one wing his own for Richmond in recent years, but found himself in a different role against Geelong last Friday night when he was tasked with playing as a forward.
He found less of the footy than usual, logging just seven disposals, but was only too happy to make the move in what was a second straight Richmond win.
“I’ll play whatever role the team needs me to play,” Pickett said.
“They said to bring some aerial power and play to my strengths. It’s pretty cool that they can trust me in a different role and to come out and execute it.”
Pickett, 31, signed a one-year contract extension for 2023 last year, but is hopeful his remarkable journey will continue for some time yet.
This time 10 years ago, he was still in a Perth jail, serving time on burglary charges.
“I don’t forget where I came from and what made me the person I am today,” Pickett said.
“If it’s my time next year or the year after, it’s my time. I’m just happy I’ve got the opportunity that a lot of people don’t get.”