One blind turn in traffic was all it took for Marlion Pickett, the first AFL grand-final debutant in 67 years, to show he belonged on the big stage.
By the end of Saturday’s premiership decider, his place in Richmond folklore was assured.
Pickett’s mesmerising performance was the highlight of the Tigers’ 17.12 (114) to 3.7 (25) blowout victory over GWS at the MCG.
Six days after being voted best-afield in the Tigers’ VFL premiership victory, Pickett gathered 22 disposals, had eight inside-50s and brought the house down when he slotted a set-shot goal in the third quarter.
A 27-year-old father of four, who did jail time as a teenager and was recruited in the mid-season draft, Pickett was already a compelling story when he was picked as just the sixth player to debut in a VFL/AFL grand final.
But from the moment Pickett’s stunning inclusion was confirmed on Thursday, there was a consistent message out of Punt Road – that while there was irresistible romance in his story, it was his footy that got him picked.
And boy, can he play.
Thrown into the thick of the action from the minute he took the field, Pickett provided an audacious highlight in the second term when he completed a full 360 to spin out of trouble and kicked lace-out to Jason Castagna.
Minutes later, Pickett found space and hit up Martin for the Brownlow Medallist to kick his second major.
By the time Dusty returned the favour in the third term, forgoing a shot at goal to give Pickett his chance to shine, the game was all but over.
But what a moment it was.
Pickett kicked truly, the crowd erupted and every Richmond player on the ground swarmed to him.
“A boyhood dream for most guys that play AFL to win a grand final but to kick a goal in a grand final … Marlion Pickett today has made the dream come true,” dual-Brownlow Medallist Chris Judd said on Triple M radio.
Pickett earlier had his jumper presented to him by former Tiger Shaun Grigg – the man whose retirement made his remarkable debut possible.
The 2017 premiership player called time on his career in May, opening up a spot for the Tigers to recruit Pickett in the mid-season draft.