1. Byron Pickett was born on 11 August 1977 and is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the North Melbourne Football Club, Port Adelaide Football Club and Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League.
23 Facts About Byron Pickett
1. 2.
Byron Pickett was known as a big game player as well as for his strength, hard bumps and tough approach to the game.
3.
In 2005 Byron Pickett was acknowledged as one of the finest Aboriginal players in the history of the game, with his selection to the Indigenous Team of the Century.
4.
Byron Pickett announced his retirement from AFL at the end of the 2007 season.
5.
Byron Pickett played the majority of his junior football for Port Lincoln Football League club Mallee Park, which was the junior club of leading footballers like Peter and Shaun Burgoyne, Graham Johncock and Daniel Wells.
6.
Byron Pickett's skills were identified by South Australian National Football League club Port Adelaide and Byron Pickett began to play in Port's junior sides, making the long trip each weekend to Adelaide.
7.
However, Byron Pickett, citing homesickness, turned down this offer, although he later nominated for the 1996 AFL Draft, where he was taken by North Melbourne.
8.
Byron Pickett developed a reputation as a 'tough' player for his aggressive attack on the ball, with a frequent tendency to cause opponents serious injuries.
9.
Byron Pickett was known for hard bumps and was consequently suspended three times from 2001.
10.
Byron Pickett moved to Port Adelaide in 2003, a season in which he kicked 43 goals in 25 games.
11.
Byron Pickett was part of Port Adelaide's first ever AFL premiership in 2004, and his 3-goal, 20 possession performance earned him the Norm Smith Medal.
12.
Byron Pickett wore No 33, previously worn by former Aboriginal player Jeff Farmer.
13.
Byron Pickett suffered successive hamstring injuries in 2006 which sidelined him for several games.
14.
On 5 May 2007, Byron Pickett laid a strong tackle on Port Adelaide's Kane Cornes, which left him concussed and taken from the ground on a stretcher.
15.
Byron Pickett kicked a goal in his final game against the Blues.
16.
In 1999, Byron Pickett crashed into Hawthorn's Brendan Krummel while his head was down to get the ball.
17.
In 2000, Byron Pickett was admitted to a mental health clinic with fears of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and other mental illnesses.
18.
Byron Pickett was released from the clinic with reports that his mental health was fine.
19.
Many cynics felt that Byron Pickett had been singled out over the incident and his style of play unfairly made an example of, with the rules changing in response to the incident.
20.
Byron Pickett received a 2-week suspension for a hip-and-shoulder on Carlton's Simon Wiggins as he completed a mark, after slowing down and pulling up to reduce the collision.
21.
Byron Pickett has made numerous appearances in court related to drink-driving offences.
22.
In 2007 Byron Pickett was suspended by Melbourne for failure to attend a game against the Western Bulldogs; he was listed as an emergency.
23.
Byron Pickett is involved with the club's Football Academy Program with a specific focus on mentoring some of the young Aboriginal players in this program.