Former Richmond player Marlion Pickett has capped off an outstanding debut season in the Northern Territory Football League by claiming Tiwi Bombers' best-and-fairest award.
The 33-year-old finished ahead of local star Michael Thompson to claim the award at the Bombers' presentation night held over the weekend.
Pickett joined Tiwi shortly after retiring from the AFL and has played a key role in the Territory club's resurgence up the ladder.
The dual Tigers premiership player was named among the Bombers' best players on six occasions from his 12 appearances this NTFL season, averaging just over 18 disposals per game.
Pickett's greatest on-field asset for the Bombers has been his versatility, and he has been able to excel in multiple roles, including pinch-hitting in the ruck.
His best performances have come in Round 7 against Waratah, where he gathered 29 disposals, nine marks and eight clearances, and in Round 2 against PINT when he recorded a 20-disposal, 15 hit-out performance.
Pickett told the ABC earlier in the season that he was enjoying playing footy in the Territory.
"I like the heat and I like the country life, it's not as fast as the city life, and I'm enjoying it," Pickett said.
"I think it's just the country you know — country boys, country life, and they (Tiwi Bombers players) just enjoy playing footy."
Other award winners for season 2024/25 include Kurt Dunn (Most Courageous), Michael Thomson (Coaches Award), Kim Kantilla (Best Forward), Braedon McLean (Best Back), Karlson Kantilla (Best Utility) and William Munkara (Best First Year Player).
Tiwi have been a much-improved team this season after languishing on the bottom of the ladder in recent years.
The club has won 11 of their 16 games and will compete in the NTFL finals for the first time since the 2019/20 season.
However, Pickett currently faces a four-week ban after being charged with head-butting another former AFL player in Southern Districts star Steven Motlop at three-quarter-time in Round 16.
The ex-AFL utility is set to have his case heard at the tribunal this week and could potentially miss the Bombers' finals campaign if found guilty.
Tiwi have fielded a host of former AFL players this season, including ex-St Kilda and Richmond utility Matthew Parker, Anthony Munkara (former Bombers rookie), Tom Phillips (Collingwood and Hawthorn), Ashton Hams (West Coast) and Sam Darley (Greater Western Sydney and Western Bulldogs).
The Bombers' Women's Premier League team also had their presentation with Maria Rioli winning the club's best-and-fairest.
Rioli – who is also the Bombers' leading goalkicker – is the 19-year-old daughter of Richmond and South Fremantle champion Maurice Rioli and younger sister of Tigers forward Maurice Rioli Jr.
