The rise of Melbourne Demons star Kysaiah Pickett even has captain Max Gawn in awe after their big win over the Richmond Tigers on Anzac Day eve
Melbourne captain Max Gawn has seen a lot in his decorated career, but even he is running out of ways to describe Kysaiah Pickett.
Following the Demons’ hard-fought 54-point win over Richmond, Gawn could only nod when asked about the electric, diminutive, forward-facing midfielder who is fast becoming one of the most damaging players in the competition.
“Some of the things he’s doing right now…it’s incredible,” Gawn told this imprint.
Pickett’s figures were eye-popping – 29 disposals, six clearances and four goals – but what impressed his captain most was the way he collected them. This was not a cameo performance at forward 50. This was a full-bodied midfield display built on work rate, responsibility and two-way running capacity that took his game to another level.
He may also have possibly received the sign of the year (which remains suspended for ages) in his dying phase.
“What I like about ‘Kozzie’ is that players like him in the AFL step up after a stoppage, then someone else comes in and defends their man,” Gawn said.
“There are players like that all over the game, high half-forwards coming into the cross-bounce and [they] spit forward. Bailey Humphrey, ‘Trac’ [Christian Petracca]’bont’ [Marcus Bontempelli] He’s amazing when he does this role.
“‘Kozzie’ is not like that. He looks like that, but he is not. He is actually a hard-working, two-way midfielder and that’s what I like most about him.
“If he’s in the All-Australian team, I’ll be shattered if he stays in the front pocket because that’s not his position anymore.”
Coach Steven King revealed after the game that Pickett had spent time in Darwin for his daughter’s birthday earlier this week.
“We gave ‘Kozzie’ the luxury of a five-day trip to Darwin earlier in the week to see his daughter’s birthday,” King said.
“The way he takes care of his body and manages it, then doing that tonight, it’s pretty amazing to watch.
“The package he has as a player and a performer is inspiring and it’s a real joy and pleasure to coach. What he does on the football field is exciting.”
In a game that was anything but simple, Pickett’s impact was decisive.
Richmond’s pressure and tackling work reduced the match to a scrap for three quarters, forcing Melbourne to a grind that was a far cry from the free-flowing style that tore apart the Gold Coast a week earlier. The Tigers were combative, organized and more than capable of exploiting any mistakes.
“They took us on in the first half. To be fair they probably could have been ahead,” admitted Gawn.
The result remained obvious until the last period. But when Melbourne needed calm, they found it through the classroom and, increasingly, through Pickett.
His ability to make an impact from stoppage time, rush forward and then work just as hard defensively has become a defining feature of his game. This is also what, in Gawn’s eyes, sets him apart from others in similar roles around the league.
“He transformed himself into a pure environment,” Gawn said.
“I doubt he even played forward today and he scored four goals with 29 touches. It’s incredible. And I guarantee he stopped goals the other way too.”
It was a transformation Melbourne always believed was possible, but it required both physical development and a change of mentality.
“That’s what we wanted from him; that was the ceiling,” Gawn said.
“If you can become a fully developed midfielder you can take your game to a whole other level. Kozzie has done that. He runs incredibly well, he runs hard.” [on] attack, running a lot [on] defense. It’s a pleasure to play with him.”
Pickett made high contact with Richmond’s Jacob Hopper at one stage in the clash, but the impact of that contact appeared to be low as he attempted to evade a sliding player.
Richmond coach Adem Yze struck a defiant tone despite the defeat, making it clear that Richmond’s domestic standards would not be diluted by a competitive performance that ultimately fell short.
Yze said, “We are a winning football club, not a losing football club.” “We will not be satisfied [just] a competitive performance.”
While the Tigers were matched by Melbourne for long stretches, particularly in the first three quarters, Yze was adamant that simply “staying in the fight” was not enough for a club trying to rebuild its identity. He said the disappointment was not just the weakening of the last quarter but also the inability to sustain the required level for four quarters.
“We are disappointed,” he said. “We don’t want to wait four quarters of not performing.
“I expect our players to leave here with a bad taste in their mouths.”
Yze acknowledged the reality of a young roster and the challenges that come with it, but refused to use it as an excuse for an 0-7 season start. Instead, he framed it as a learning phase that still needs to be supported by high expectations.
“Kids will be disappointed,” he said.
“[We’ll] “Take away the positives of the first three quarters… but there were some things in the last quarter that were not good enough and we need to make them better.”
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
Sam McClure is an award-winning AFL journalist and broadcaster.Connect with: X or email.
