Dual Richmond premiership player Marlion Pickett is set to make his debut for Victorian country club Melton South on Saturday.
The 33-year-old has produced a high standard of football at local level since retiring from the AFL at the end of last year.
The ex-Tigers utility is fresh off a strong season with Northern Territory Football League club Tiwi Bombers and is now looking to contribute to Melton South's rise up the ladder.
"I'm looking forward to it, it's been a bit since I played a proper game of footy," Pickett told Leader Local Footy.
"Even though I played on the weekend but I'm looking forward to running out with the boys at Melton.
"They've been good, I've played a (pre-season) scratch match with them – that was a good hit-out and a good win and hopefully we can get a couple more on the board."
The Riddell District Football League club recently snapped a 40-match losing streak after claiming victory over Melton Centrals in Round 2 and followed it up with another win the next week against Gisborne Giants.
The Noongar man's skill and experience will be a valuable addition to the rebuilding side after a 91-game career at the elite level.
Pickett is fresh from serving a three-game suspension that he received after an incident against St Marys during the NTFL finals series.
He returned last weekend, making a cameo appearance for Mininera and District Football League club Great Western, where he exhibited plenty of class around the football.
Pickett is looking to join the growing list of Indigenous footballers making their mark in country footy in 2025.
Among the others include Matthew Rankine – the older brother of Adelaide star Izak – who is excelling for his new club Mallee Eagles in the Central Murray Football League.
The former SANFL player joined the Eagles at the beginning of the season and has been instrumental to the club's strong start to the season.
Against Koondrook Barham, Rankine had a mammoth performance, collecting 44 disposals, seven clearances and a goal in his team's 114-point win a fortnight ago.
Mallee coach Harry Allen likened his team's exciting recruit Matthew Rankine to his brother, praising his versatility and explosive speed.
"The easy way to describe him for people that haven't seen him is to watch Izak as it is very similar to how he plays," Allen told the Herald Sun.
"He's so electric, he's got five or six gears in terms of speed and he can do it without raising a sweat.
"You can play him forward or midfield which is what he's doing at the moment.
"He's been awesome and having him on board has allowed other guys to change positions and trial things."
