- Tigers premiership winner charged with alleged crime
- The wave of burglaries reportedly resulted in safes being looted
- Pickett accused of planning to transport money across the country
Dual AFL premiership player Marlion Pickett is expected to enter pleas next year on multiple charges, including aggravated burglary, after his latest court appearance was postponed.
Pickett's arrest in June shocked the football community. Police alleged he was involved in a spate of commercial burglaries over the Christmas period last year.
They are said to have been involved in the theft of more than $300,000 and the looting of safes at currency exchange offices.
Mr. Pickett is also accused of being part of a scheme to transport the money across the country in a camper van.
Marlion Pickett has appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on charges including theft and receiving
The 31-year-old Richmond star faces 12 charges, including criminal damage or destruction of property, theft and receiving.
His manager previously indicated that Pickett would contest the charges.
The matter was listed as a committal notice at the Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday but was adjourned by consent until January 19.
His co-accused Kurtley Thorne, 30, recently pleaded guilty to a series of charges at the Perth Magistrates Court.
The Richmond premiership player is accused of involvement in a spate of burglaries following his arrest in June
Mr Pickett has previously spoken about his previous run-ins with the law and time spent in prison in Washington, saying this was a wake-up call.
He was released from prison in 2013 at the age of 21 and then started playing for South Fremantle Football Club.
Mr Pickett made his AFL debut during Richmond's 2019 premiership win, just months after being selected by the Tigers in the mid-season draft.
It made Pickett the first VFL/AFL player in 67 years to debut in a grand final and the first since 1926 to win a flag.
He won a second premiership with the Tigers in 2020.
The father of four (pictured with partner Jess) has to return to the front court on January 19
Mr Pickett was forced to file for financial hardship after his salary was cut during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The father of four was paid the salary of a second-year rookie list player, which is approximately $85,000.
But when the AFL closed during the pandemic, leading to pay cuts for players, Mr Pickett lived on about $3000 a month.
Fans rallied to help by donating to a GoFundMe page to raise money for the young family.