Richmond star Marlion Pickett was granted bail after the two-time premiership hero was charged over a string of alleged break-ins from Perth safes
- Pickett was charged by police on Sunday
- Was behind a series of alleged burglaries
- Tiger has been released on bail after facing court in Perth
Richmond AFL premiership player Marlion Pickett has been released on bail by a Perth magistrate after being charged with a string of alleged burglaries involving money being stolen from safes.
Police took Pickett into custody on Sunday – a day after he played in the Tigers’ 15-point victory over Fremantle at Optus Stadium – for alleging he was involved in commercial burglaries between December and January.
The 31-year-old appeared in the dock at Perth Magistrates Court on Monday wearing a black sweatshirt.
He only spoke to confirm his name and did not have to enter pleas.
A police prosecutor told the court that the alleged crime by Pickett and others involved a series of commercial break-ins that resulted in the theft of more than $380,000 in Australian and foreign currency from safe deposit boxes.
Marlion Pickett, pictured with his family after winning the 2020 grand final with Richmond, has been released on bail after due to appear in court on Monday
The two-time premiership star (pictured with partner Jess) was arrested by police on Sunday following a series of alleged burglaries in Perth late last year.
Pickett faces 12 charges, including four counts of aggravated burglary, three counts of robbery and three counts of criminal damage.
Prosecutors opposed bail, saying there was a risk that Pickett would reoffend if released.
Pickett’s attorney, David Manera, said the prosecution rested largely on allegations that his accomplices had made deposits into his bank account and that a motorhome rented in his name had been driven down the highway by the other men.
Magistrate Erin O’Donnell said the allegations were serious, but she was confident Pickett posed no significant flight risk.
She granted bail on the condition that Pickett lives at his address in Reservoir, a suburb of Melbourne, reports weekly to a local police station, has no contact with any of his alleged accomplices, and provides personal bail of $50,000.
Pickett (left) was arrested in Perth on Sunday after playing for Richmond in their victory over the Dockers
He is due to appear in court in August.
His manager Anthony Van Der Wielen declined to comment outside court.
In a statement on Sunday, he said Pickett was entitled to the presumption of innocence.
“We understand and respect the public interest in this case, but we also urge everyone to respect the presumption of innocence until proven guilty and to allow legal proceedings to continue unabated,” said Van Der. Wheels.
Pickett made his famous AFL debut in the Tigers’ 2019 premiership triumph after being drafted as an adult recruit.
Pickett made his debut in the 2019 Grand Final – which he celebrates after the Tigers won
Richmond released a statement on Sunday evening confirming their player had been charged.
“The club will continue to support Marlion and his family as these matters are resolved,” the club statement said.
“As this matter is now before the courts, the club will not be commenting further.”
Pickett has played 70 games for the Tigers and is out of contract at the end of the 2023 season.
In 2019, he became the first VFL/AFL player in 67 years to debut in a grand final and the first since 1926 to win a flag as Richmond won GWS by 89 points.
He won a second premiership with the Tigers in 2020.