Tara Murray
Melton South has received a much needed boost with two-time Richmond premiership player Marlion Pickett signing for next year’s Riddell District Football League season.
Having already secured the signature of another former AFL player Sam Darley, the Panthers announced the signing of Pickett on Friday night.
He finished his AFL career at the end of this season, retiring from the level. Pickett played 91 games for the Tigers after making his debut in the 2019 grand final.
The Panthers said Pickett’s friendship with coach Travis Hodgson was the key to getting him signed at the club with a number of clubs wanting his signature.
Hodgson said it was really exciting for the club to get Pickett on board.
‘He’s a talented signing for us,” he said. “It’s pretty substantial and positive for spectators.
“For us and the league it’s really good. I’ve known him for a few years.
“It’s the best way to recruit now is through those connections.”
Hodgson said that Pickett was highly sought, but he wanted somewhere that he didn’t have to travel too far with a young family invested in his footy.
He said they would look to use Pickett as a mid-forward to give them some class in front of the ball.
It comes after the club had already announced the signing of another former AFL player in Sam Darley.
Darley played one game for the club this year when he had a BFL season high 53 possessions and was a class above.
He will be full time with us as a playing assistant coach and will guide the young group.
Hodgson said the pair would be among the best players in the competition and give the side some more positive vibes as they move into a new competition.
“Sam has built a really good CV since finishing in the AFL,” he said. “It’ll be nice to have Sam and Marlion in the centre bounces at times, it will be a good combination.
“The move to the RDFL has generated plenty of excitement internally.
“It’s a fresh start after a number of tough years in the Ballarat league. ”
The Panthers have also announced the signing of Bryce Kerney.
The 19-year-old forward-mid comes to the Panthers from Bacchus Marsh where he has played some senior footy combined with under-19s.
Hodgson said they were still looking at potential other signings.
The club has welcomed back four or five former Melton South players to the mix which Hodgson said was really important for the club.
Among them is Will and Jacob Thorton-Gielen.
“We get those families back to the club as well,” he said. “They are in the age profile of 26-27, we didn’t have that last year.
“We should be a fair bit more competitive.”
