Draft bolter Latrelle Pickett was "playing back home in a country league, just out of Port Lincoln" with Tumby Bay last year.
A year later he's backing himself to carve out an AFL career comparable to some of the great modern Indigenous players, after going pick 12 in Wednesday night's national draft.
Pickett joins cousin Kozzy at Melbourne, who surprised the draft bolter with his guernsey presentation on stage, the prospect saying he'll likely take a room at the Melbourne star's place while settling into a new city and first weeks as an AFL player.
Seeing Kysiah and close friend Isaiah Dudley play at the top level was a motivating factor for the small forward, he told reporters on the night, among self belief in his talents.
"I thought that I had it in me too. I just wanted to give it a crack and make my family proud," Pickett said.
In a swift rise across 2025, Pickett proved himself at reserves level with Glenelg in the SANFL before a four-goal league debut in the final round of the home and away season.
He held his spot in the Tigers' senior side for the first two weeks of finals before clinching a reserves premiership to cap the year.
Another four goal performance from Pickett, arguably as the difference-maker, saw Glenelg overcome Sturt 87-62 to lift the cup.
"Very grateful and thankful for the opportunity (Glenelg) gave me. They'd never really seen me play before, so they just took me," Pickett said.
"I thank them so much for that - giving me the opportunity."
In all, Pickett booted 37 goals in 21 matches across 2025.
He's one of seven SANFL players who were selected in the first round, a record result for the league.
Pickett arrives at the Dees with expectations as a front fifty x-factor addition, along with speed and elite running capacity. He topped the South Australian combine 2 kilometre time trial leading into the draft.
Pick 12 has been a potent selection introducing Indigenous talent into the top level, with Pickett's cousin selected by the Dees with the same pick in 2019.
Ahead of this year's draft he thought getting a chance at pick 60 or 70 was a more likely outcome.
400-game four-time premiership player Shaun Burgoyne, Brownlow medallist Gavin Wanganeen, Norm Smith winner Cyril Rioli and current North skipper Jy Simpkin plucked at the same stage.
Those names before him include "greats of the game".
"I think I've definitely got it in me. It would be great to have a career like that," Pickett said on Wednesday.
"I think I definitely can have an impact," he later added, "just gotta put the hard work in this pre season, and just give it my all and have good cracks..just knuckle down and hopefully have a chance at playing round one."
A full preseason with Glenelg formed the foundations for a rapid trajectory, Pickett said, as well as setting his sights on the AFL.
Given licence by coaching staff to play his game with a "free mind" also helped.
The perfect photo doesn't exi-#DemonSpirit pic.twitter.com/elT9ao3xOR
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) November 19, 2025
However there were tough times, and Pickett was self-admittedly "immature" when he went home two years ago.
"Our guy Trelly!," Tumby Bay Football Club said in an online post on Wednesdat night.
"Huge congratulations to Latrelle Pickett, selected by Melbourne Football Club at pick 12 in the 2025 AFL Draft.
"Everyone in Tumby Bay FC and Mallee Park FC is buzzing for you. You've earned every bit of this. Go make your mark and do your clubs proud, young fella."
On Monday Pickett was on a plane back to South Australia from Melboure, before having to rush back the morning of the draft, he said.
"I'm still trying to get (my head) around it. But I can't. It's a dream come true," he said.
Pairing with his cousin Kysaiah in the Dees' forward line is an exciting prospect, he added.
"I'll kick it to him. I hope it gives it to me too," Pickett said of the prospect of a new scoring combination at the Demons.
