AFL star released on bail following burglary charges
<p>Richmond AFL premiership player Marlion Pickett has been granted bail after allegedly stealing more than $380,000 during a series of burglaries of commercial properties.</p>
<p>The athlete faced Perth Magistrates Court on June 12 for at least 12 separate charges, including aggravated burglary, criminal damage and stealing.</p>
<p>The charges relate to a string of alleged incidents which police claim occurred between December 2022 and January 2023, during the AFL off-season.</p>
<p>Pickett was arrested by WA Police on June 11, just hours after helping his team score a 15-point win over the Fremantle Dockers at Perth Stadium.</p>
<p>He was freed from custody the following day after securing $50,000 bail and depositing a further $50,000 surety.</p>
<p>Pickett has over 70 games with the Richmond Tigers under his belt following his debut in the 2019 AFL Grand Final, the first player to have done so in almost 70 years.</p>
<p>The Richmond Football Club told the <em>ACB</em> in a statement that it “would continue to support Marlion and his family while these matters are dealt with”.</p>
<p>Pickett’s Perth-based manager Anthony Van Der Wielen told the broadcaster that the AFL giant intended to fight the charges.</p>
<p>“Due to the ongoing legal nature of the proceedings, Marlion, or myself will not be able to provide any further details, comment or clarification about the matter at this stage,” he said in a statement.</p>
<p>“We understand and respect the public’s interest in this matter, but we also implore all to respect the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise, and to allow the legal proceedings to follow their due course without prejudice.”</p>
<p>Pickett is due to face the same court in August.</p>
<p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>
