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“Honestly frightening” Pickett hailed as Melbourne’s best player
Connor Scanlon • May 26th, 2025 12:21 pm
Melbourne livewire Kysaiah Pickett has been praised as the Demons' best player in 2025, with AFL greats Kane Cornes and David King declaring the small forward unstoppable.
Cornes led the praise following his huge five-goal, 24-disposal outing in the win over the Swans at the MCG on Sunday, admitting that Pickett has taken his game to another level after inconsistent performances last season.
“Let’s talk about Kozzie (Pickett) and what he’s done this year,” Cornes told SEN Breakfast.
“Last year, I think I called on him to do it more consistently.
“I said his best is as good as anyone’s, but then his worst, and the gulf between his best and his worst is too significant for a player of his talent.
“But now he is starting to do it, and it’s not gonna be 24 (disposals) and 5 (goals) every week, but he’s doing that semi-regularly, which is honestly frightening.”
Cornes went on to state that it may be impossible for opposition players to reduce Pickett’s impact such is his dynamism inside 50 and at the stoppage.
“He just looks to be a player that’s unstoppable,” Cornes said.
“I’m not sure how you play on him or stop him.”
David King chimed in and took it a step further, declaring that Pickett is now head and shoulders above Melbourne stars Christian Petracca and Max Gawn.
“Well, he’s their best player now," King said.
“And that’s saying something given that (Christian) Petracca and (Max) Gawn are right up there.
“But I think Kozzie’s gone past those two on this year’s sort of status, not bringing in the past.
“I agree, I agree,” Cornes responded.
After Pickett dominated Sydney on the weekend, King couldn’t believe just how good his individual performance was.
“The fact that he had 14 touches inside the forward 50,” King said amazed.
“I can’t remember him having that sort of volume, unbelievable, 5 goals, 4 (points).
“He could have had an amazing day.”
King also thinks that the structural change by Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin to put Pickett into the midfield is a game-changing move.
“I love the fact they’re now putting him in at centre bounces and allowing him to do his thing in there, and then roll forward,” King exclaimed.
“It does cause confusion, and you’ve got to treat your trump cards differently.
“Like this is the guy now. Pickett is now the guy. It isn’t Petracca anymore.
“He’s a better user, you get more bang for buck when Pickett’s got it than Petracca.
“Treat him like your trump card.”
Cornes also believes that Pickett has overtaken Petracca as the Demons best, particularly with his defensive pressure.
“And he’s better defensively as well,” Cornes added.
“I’m not sure how you go about stopping him at the moment.”
With rumours circulating that Pickett may be leaving Melbourne come season end, Cornes was emphatic that Melbourne must not entertain any trade talks.
“So they’ve got him under contract, and under no circumstance should they be trading him, until he comes out of contract and demands to leave,” Cornes said.
“Because you’re not gonna let him go.”
King then questioned Cornes on the minimum trade requirements needed for Pickett.
“I just don’t know if there is one,” Cornes replied.
“Because you’re gonna get draft picks, which are an unknown commodity.
“And the talk of Luke Jackson for Kozzy Pickett is so ridiculous, and so unfair.”
King was adamant, however, that Jackson won’t leave Fremantle, denying claims of a potential swap deal.
“Well, that’s probably a win-win for both (clubs) then if that’s the case,” Cornes responded.
“But I wouldn’t be trading Kozzie under any circumstance.”
