This little animation is meant to be the first of a series of memorable Grand Final moments.
Marlion Pickett is a 27 year-old Western Australian who was picked up by Richmond in the mid-season draft. He starred in the VFL grand final a week before the AFL grand final (the VFL is virtually the AFL reserves now). He was named for his first AFL game in the grand final, something that hadn't happened for 60 years.
This is a moment in the 2nd quarter. Richmond are in front of Greater Western Sydney, but the game is still in the balance. Young giant Ivan Soldo hands the ball to Pickett and he gracefully steps onto the wrong foot and executes a perfect blind turn, completely destroying Lachie Whitfield who grasps at thin air.
Watching it live I was struck by how un-flashy it was. Not a last-quarter party piece, not a young star revelling in his stardom – it was just the right move for that situation which opened up the space. Pickett did it slowly and almost apologetically. Sorry Lachie, this is not designed to make you look silly, I just need to make some space so I can deliver the ball accurately to my forwards.
And he did. A pinpoint pass off the outside of his right boot to a lead from Georgie Castagna who marked and goaled, putting Richmond out to a 28-9 lead. The Tigers went on to crush GWS by 89 points. Pickett was outstanding and was voted 3rd best afield, in a grand final, in his first game. I hope to be there at the MCG for his second, on 19th March.
Still to add: Georgie's mark and the soundtrack
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