Could Richmond’s Grand Final hero Marlion Pickett become a top 50 player by the end of 2020?
Tim Watson doesn’t think it’s beyond the realm of possibility, describing the mature-age recruit as a “special talent”.
On debut, Pickett finished third in the Norm Smith Medal voting after collecting 22 disposals and booting a goal having been selected in the mid-season rookie draft.
“I wouldn’t bet against that,” Watson told SEN Breakfast.
“Let’s re-examine what he did: he stepped up and played his first game of AFL football in a Grand Final and was considered one of the better players on the ground.
“After a really disrupted year, he’s settled, he’s had a proper pre-season at AFL level, he’s got the talent, he’s 28 years of age, he has the confidence that now he belongs out there even after one game, I wouldn’t rule out that he could be a top 50 player.
“This could be one of the steels of the last century in recruiting. I think he’s got special talent.”
Garry Lyon wants to see an increased body of work before talking about Pickett as a potential top 50 player.
“I wouldn’t rule it out, but I need to see more,” Lyon said of Pickett.
“They smashed the Giants. Let’s cut to the chase, in the end it was a low-pressure game. A low-pressure game because of just how brilliant Richmond were.”