Melbourne will drive a hard bargain to hold star forward Kysaiah Pickett to his contract, according to president Brad Green.
Pickett unsuccessfully sought a trade at the end of 2024, and according to reports he remains keen on a move, amid claims he has texted Fremantle players that he’d be joining the Dockers at the end of 2025.
The 23-year old, who played a key role in Melbourne’s 2021 premiership success, is contracted for a further three season, with Green joining a chorus of Dees officials in reiterating that he won’t be traded unless the club’s hefty demands are met.
“We love Kozzy as a teammate, he is such a lovable character around the place,” Green, who became Demons president late last year following the resignation of Kate Roffey, told The Age.
“The thing that our members and supporters have got to know is if they [trade rumours] come to fruition and he wants to go to Perth, then we’re going to be OK.
“He’s got three years on his contract, so we’re going to get two or three first round draft picks.
“So we either keep the player that we love and respect – and we want him to stay – but if for family reasons he wants to go back, that’s OK.
“Fremantle or West Coast or any other club can come up with three first round draft picks or he’s not going anywhere. I can tell you that – he’s not going anywhere unless we as a club get a deal we want.”
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
The Demons endured a turbulent end to 2024, a season in which they missed finals for the first time since 2020.
Star midfielders Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver were both thrown into trade debate, with Petracca reportedly keen to leave the club amid frustration over their handling of serious internal injuries that ended his season during their King’s Birthday clash with Collingwood.
Green revealed that he and the club were similarly insistent on holding Oliver to his contract as he says they will be with Pickett come season’s end.
“We hold our players to a high account, and if we think that you’ve explored some options, but we don’t think that it’s viable for us, we’re going to hold you to your contract. We’re not going to let players walk out,” he said.
“I rang Clarry around the time of the B&F [best and fairest night] and said, ‘This is the situation; you’re not going anywhere. Tonight I’m going up to give a speech and say to our members that our starting midfield for 2025 is going to be Petracca, Viney, Oliver and Gawn. OK?’ And he started getting all teary on me.
“I said ‘It’s OK, mate. I love you, I love having you around the club, you’re a four-time B&F winner, you’re going to go down as one of our champion players and hall of famer at our football club, and you’re going to be a big part of our future’.
“He said to me, ‘Please, don’t do that because the B&F night, it’s not about me, it’s about the guys that are going to get awarded for their individual seasons’.
“I said ‘No, Clarry, it’s not about you, but our members and supporters want to know we are committed in this place and this environment. And I’m just ringing you to say, ‘I love you. We love you and we’re going to move forward with that’.’ And he got off the phone and just said, ‘Love you, Greeny ’.”
Clayton Oliver endured a turbulent 2024. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Green likewise disputes criticism of the Demons’ culture, while admitting to ‘mistakes’ made in the past.
“I know our environment; our players, love each other. Their love and their bond, and what they communicate to each other is [very different] to what’s perceived out there,” he said.
“I think what we found is issues get put into the one big basket… into a big pile of shit, really, and that creates different instances of what they say is culture.
“But what I believe, and what I know, is this is a very driven, strong, talented group that can achieve anything they want to.
“We’ve made mistakes in the past, every club’s made mistakes. We’ve got to own them and quickly turn them around and move forward.”
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
Collingwood's tally of 34 inside 50s on Thursday night against Fremantle is the equal second-lowest by any team this year. It's the same amount…
When Fremantle were ruthlessly mauled by St Kilda on Friday night, fans leapt onto social media to savage coach John Longmuir and call for…
Two years and 11 days ago, Fremantle took on the Western Bulldogs in Perth, were expected to win ... and were crunched by 49…
In 31 years, this club doesn't feel any closer to its first premiership, and the ruthless streak built during the Lyon era has well and truly dissipated.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is urging his players to regain their defensive identity as the fallout from the upset 10-point loss to Melbourne continues to reverberate.
You could see the relief etched into Simon Goodwin's face. You could see the delight on Max Gawn's face at a first AFL win…
