About the Image(s)

Title: The Enigma of Marlion Pickett

This month’s photo I have presented is of the old style of PJ. In the past, newspapers would run a story, and the photo would be the accompaniment. Without the story, the photo would just appear as any sports photo.

The story of Marlion Pickett is truly amazing. He was born an indigenous Australian in a family that suffered deprivation, poverty, alcoholism, drug dependency. and crime with imprisonment. He has risen to achieve one of the most amazing feats within Australian Rules Football. In his first game of Australian Rules Football in the 2019 grand final, he was awarded the winner of the Norm Smith medal (best player judged by panel of experts). This was an amazing feat as it has never been achieved in 126 years of AFL history. Normally, only well credentialed players are chosen to play in this event by their clubs. Richmond FC took the chance and selected him, having never played a 1st 18 game ever. His team, Richmond, won the coveted premiership flag.

This man’s dilemma still continues to this day, as he has to appear in court on a burglary charge. He had already served 30 months in prison before the 2019 grand final win. He may well end up in prison again, as these burglary charges are very serious.

Marlion Picket is the player rising above the surrounding players wearing black and yellow jumper. Photo taken one week before the AFL Indigenous Round this year. This cluster of players is very typical of Australian Rules as 36 players occupy the ground at any one time, and there is no such thing as offside – you can play wherever you like.

Camera Panasonic DMC-FZ150. Focal length 569mm equivalent. F5. 1250/1. ISO 250.

Processing – Lightroom Auto and Topaz AI applied especially to remove noise and sharpen.