Kysaiah Pickett faces scrutiny over another high bump after starring with four goals and a mark-of-the-year contender in Melbourne’s 54-point victory over winless Richmond.
The Demons were made to work for three quarters before kicking away in the last to record a comfortable 19.12 (126) to 11.6 (72) triumph at the MCG on Friday night.
It extended Melbourne’s positive start to life under new coach Steven King, improving their record to 5-2 ahead of a tough interstate assignment against ladder leaders Sydney next round.
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Pickett dazzled with 29 disposals and six clearances, and underlined his brilliant performance with a spectacular mark over Campbell Gray in the dying seconds.
“It was pretty epic. You saw it coming from a mile away (and thought) surely he’s not going to have a crack at this. Incredible, unbelievable mark,” coach Steven King told Channel 7.
He was awarded the Frank “Checker” Hughes Medal as best afield.
“He’s the complete player. He’s magical but he’s also hard. He’s got elite speed, endurance, his game IQ’s really high,” King said of Pickett.
“Just give him opportunity to flourish as a full-time mid and he’s just loving that responsibility.
“You see often guys with that skill level maybe not be as comfortable in the contest as what Kozzy is. His ability to take the game on, I don’t think he’d fear anyone when they chase him — his fast feet and acceleration, he’s the complete package.”
But the explosive midfielder’s high contact with Richmond’s Jacob Hopper in the final quarter will be looked at closely by the match review officer.
“Nothing to worry about there,” Dale Thomas said in commentary on Channel 7.
“He is genuinely trying to avoid contact, which you don’t say too often when the name Pickett and bumping is brought forward.”
The Demons also lost Jai Culley to a suspected serious left knee injury after he went down under no contact before half-time.
The Melbourne midfielder immediately grabbed at his leg, sparking fears of a second ACL injury in his career.
Culley previously ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in 2023 while playing with West Coast.
Caleb Windsor shone alongside Pickett, tallying 25 disposals and two goals, while Tom Sparrow (28 touches, nine clearances) and Brody Mihocek (three goals) were also influential.
Richmond’s seventh straight defeat this season came in the absence of veteran defender Jayden Short, who was a late withdrawal when his pregnant wife went into labour.
Acting captain Jack Ross had 27 disposals in his 100th game, fighting hard for the Tigers alongside Dion Prestia (28) and Patrick Retschko (26).
Sam Lalor tallied 16 touches, seven clearances and one goal in his hybrid midfield-forward role, while key forward Tom Lynch kicked 1.1 from five shots at goal on his return from injury.
Surprise ruck option Noah Balta helped give Richmond some early ascendancy at centre ball-ups, but the Demons led at quarter-time for the first time this season, 4.4 to 3.1.
Debutant Sam Cumming opened the second term with his first goal and Seth Campbell put the Tigers in front with a long bomb as they dominated contested possession.
Five consecutive Melbourne goals before half-time, including two from Pickett among the four in time-on, gave them breathing space with a 21-point buffer at the main break.
Bizarrely, boundary umpire Patrick Dineen took a tumble when trying to avoid a ball kicked in his direction in the second term and was taken to hospital with a left wrist injury.
A third-quarter flashpoint led to Mihocek’s steadying goal for the Demons when he received a 50m penalty paid against Ben Miller for moving in the protected area.
It helped keep Richmond at bay, before the Demons flexed their muscle in the last quarter, kicking the first five goals of the term to put the result beyond doubt.
– with 7NEWS
