Marlion Pickett: From Prison to Premiership Glory

Marlion Pickett’s life right from being incarcerated to winning the prestigious Premiership is a tale worth being told. Resilience and determination are the key traits of this individual, and Marlion most certainly has proven to possess them. He was able to achieve the unimaginable, and as such, his transition from prison to a champion of the AFL deserves praise. It’s a story of inspiration, passion, and success. Now, let’s look at how Marlion Pickett reached the peak by claiming the Premiership.

Birth, Parents, and Education

The AFL superstar Marlion Pickett was born on 6 January 1992 in Perth, Australia. He grew up in a big family with seven siblings. Marlion did not have an easy life growing up, as his family struggled with unemployment, a shortage of food, and several other challenges.

Starting his football journey at merely 7, he joined the Puma Panthers based in Balga. He later shifted alongside his family to Manjimup, where he became a part of the Manjimup Tigers. By the age of 14, he was already winning games alongside his teammates.

Marlion returned to Perth for the second time at fifteen so that he could join yet another football club but had to endure racial vitriol from his teammates, which provoked him to leave. At the young age of 16, he dropped out of school, but football never left his life, which kept him focused on his future.

Incarceration of Marlion Pickett

Marlion Pickett spent most of his adolescent years behind bars for various reasons. At the age of 15, Pickett was involved in a fight for which he was charged with grievous bodily harm. While on bail, he was arrested again for robbery and assault, which culminated in him receiving a six-month sentence at a juvenile detention facility.

This started a vicious cycle of crime, which saw Pickett fail to secure a stable job after being released from the detention centre. Post-being released, he was seen driving without a license and was also later implicated in multiple burglary incidents.

At the age of 18, things took a turn for the worse as he began participating in even more violent crimes, such as the multiple early morning burglaries at many local shopping centres. As a consequence of these actions, Pickett was charged with 17 counts of burglary and a single count of aggravated burglary, for which he was sentenced to over two years of imprisonment.

During this period, Pickett went through bouts of depression and anxiety, but he found a means to escape the harsh reality of his life through football, which he played for the amateur team in prison. This was an eye-opening moment for Pickett, as it motivated him to pursue a professional career in football post-his release in 2013.

Carrer of Marlion Pickett

Marlion Pickett’s story of football is one of an incredible fighter who has managed to succeed in life through hard work, persistence and courage. He first began his professional career at the South Fremantle Football Club, Australia, where he played for WAFL for over six seasons. During this period, he won the best community and fairest player award in the year 2018.

In the mid-season rookie draft of the AFL, Marlion was selected by the Richmond Football Club in May 2019 when he was 27 years old. His impact was immediate, following an impressive showing at the Victorian Football League grand final, where he made history. He was awarded best on the ground and was therefore subsequently awarded the Norm Goss Medal.

His first game in the AFL Grand Final was for Richmond Football against Western Sydney Giants on September 28, 2019, being the first player since 1952 to be given such an opportunity. In this match, he was able to contribute to the team by helping them win their first AFL premiership.

After joining Richmond, Pickett was able to win a few crucial games for them during their premiership, working hard to make it his second win within 20 games only. Over his six-season career with Richmond, he played 90 games, demonstrating versatility and skill.

In August 2024, Pickett announced his retirement from professional AFL, expressing pride in his journey and gratitude to those who supported him.

Following his AFL retirement, Pickett continued his passion for football by joining the Tiwi Island Bombers in the Northern Territory Football League, contributing to the team’s resurgence.

Relationship

Marlion Pickett has been in a long-term relationship with his partner, Jessica Nannup, whom he met when he was 16 years old.

Together, they have four children: Marlion Jr., Latrelle, Shaniquae, and Levi.

Throughout his journey, Jessica and their children have been a significant source of support and motivation for Marlion, especially during challenging times.

The family resides in Manjimup, Western Australia.

Social Media Profile

Marlion Pickett maintains a low profile on social media. While there are Facebook profiles under his name, it’s unclear if any are officially managed by him.

He doesn’t appear to have verified accounts on major platforms like Instagram or Twitter. This limited online presence suggests that Marlion prefers to keep his personal life private, focusing more on his family and football career rather than engaging in social media activities.

Final Words

Marlion Pickett’s journey from tough beginnings to AFL success is truly inspiring. Through determination and support, he turned his life around and achieved greatness. His story shows that second chances can lead to incredible achievements.