Melbourne Demons forward Kysaiah “Kozzy” Pickett has addressed recent speculation about a potential move to Western Australia, affirming his commitment to the club where he is contracted until the end of 2027.
Rumors have linked Pickett to a possible transfer to Fremantle, fueled by his connections and conversations with friends in the region. However, Pickett clarified that these discussions are merely personal interactions and not indicative of any professional intentions.
“I’ve got friends, you know, I’m going to talk to them,” Pickett stated. “I’m contracted at Melbourne, I’m having fun there and I love it at the club… I still have to do my time there.”
While acknowledging feelings of homesickness due to being away from family in Western Australia, Pickett emphasized the open and supportive relationship he maintains with Melbourne’s head coach, Simon Goodwin. He highlighted the importance of transparent communication in addressing personal challenges.
“Me and ‘Goody’, we always have open and honest conversations, and me to be able to express myself and express my homesickness, it’s part of our relationship,” Pickett explained.
Currently, Pickett is participating in the Indigenous All Stars camp, preparing for an exhibition match against Fremantle at Optus Stadium in Perth. This event offers him a valuable opportunity to reconnect with his roots and play in front of a home crowd.
“It’s one of the bigger games I look up to, coming back home, playing in front of all my family. I’ve got a lot of family here and a lot of friends, so being able to showcase myself, represent all of my family and being able to do it with all the other Indigenous boys is pretty crazy,” Pickett shared.
Reflecting on the experience of collaborating with fellow Indigenous players, Pickett expressed admiration for their skills and enthusiasm for the upcoming game.
“You play against these guys, and you see what they can do with the ball, and you just look at them like ‘This is crazy’ and for me to stand alongside them, it’s going to be fun,” he said.
As the Demons prepare for the upcoming AFL season, Pickett’s reaffirmation of his commitment provides stability and optimism for the club and its supporters.
