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11 months ago
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Dual AFL premiership player Marlion Pickett is expected to enter pleas to multiple charges, including aggravated burglary, next year after his latest court appearance was adjourned.
Mr Pickett's arrest in June shocked the football community, with police alleging he was involved in a spate of commercial burglaries during the Christmas period last year.
They allegedly involved the theft of more than $300,000 and included ransacking safes at currency exchange businesses.
Mr Pickett is also accused of being part of a plan to transport the money across the country in a campervan.
Marlion Pickett has appeared at Perth Magistrates Court on charges including alleged stealing and receiving
The 31-year-old Richmond star is facing 12 charges, including criminal damage or destruction of property, stealing and receiving.
His manager previously indicated that Mr Pickett would fight the charges.
The matter was listed as a committal mention in Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday but was adjourned by consent until January 19.
His co-accused Kurtley Thorne, 30, pleaded guilty to a string of charges in Perth Magistrates Court recently.
The Richmond premiership player stands accused of involvement in a spate of burglaries after his arrest in June
Mr Pickett has previously spoken about his past brushes with the law and time he spent in prison in WA, saying it was a wake-up call.
He was released from jail, aged 21, in 2013 and then began playing for the South Fremantle Football Club.
Mr Pickett made his AFL debut in 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) is due to front court again on January 19
Mr Pickett was forced to apply for financial hardship after having his salary slashed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The father of four was being paid a second-year rookie list player's salary, which is about $85,000.
But when the AFL shut down during the pandemic, which led to pay cuts for players, Mr Pickett was living on about $3000 per month.
Fans rallied to help by donating to a GoFundMe page to raise money for the young family.
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