Kysaiah Pickett will be given time by Melbourne to make a decision on his playing future.
The 21-year-old small forward is out of contract this year and is expected to again be chased by rival clubs having received plenty of attention from Port Adelaide last season.
While it is understood that premiership player Pickett is happy at the Demons, The Age’s Pete Ryan says there is some slight concern that his situation could become similar to that of Luke Jackson who left the club for Fremantle on a big-money move last trade period.
Ryan has indicated that the Dees will be patient with the electric Pickett who is likely to attract plenty of interest in 2023, particularly from WA and SA clubs given he has family ties to both states.
“Basically, all it is is that Melbourne have been talking to his management and we now know that there’s going to be no rush to re-sign in the early rounds of this year,” Ryan said on SEN’s Sportsday.
“They’re going to give him time which could get to the middle of the season.
“The concern for all Melbourne supporters is it gets into Luke Jackson territory and becomes a repeat of that which became quite distracting.
“I don’t think Kozzie Pickett will get to that point because he’s just a different character to Luke Jackson.
“I also think he’s really happy with Melbourne, with Simon Goodwin and with the environment. It’s just whether he wants to play out the next five years of his career in Victoria.
“That will be the question because he’s going to have clubs from Western Australia and South Australia again looking to lure him out and this year he’s out of contract.
“There’s a big decision for him to make but Melbourne is going to let him take his time to make it.”
Pickett is considered a fan favourite at the Demons and to lose him at a young age would be another blow following Jackson’s exit.
However, the fact he is taking his time does not necessarily equate to an impending departure.
“Pickett would be one of the favourites for Melbourne supporters, particularly young supporters,” Ryan added.
“Although he’s a low-possession (player), he’s a match-winner and he was critical, those two players (including Jackson), to that 2021 premiership.
“Pickett again will be a critical player for them this year. He just adds X-factor and excitement.
“Particularly these days, players come out of contract and they aren’t necessarily recommitting until they have all the information they need.”
Pickett has played 62 games and kicked 88 goals since debuting in 2020.
The Demons will meet St Kilda in a practice match at RSEA Park on February 24 before tuning up for the 2023 season proper against Richmond at Casey Fields on March 4.
Their 2023 campaign kicks off against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on March 18.