- A Richmond Tigers footy star was accused of multiple burglaries
- The 33-year-old enjoyed a storied rise to the top of the AFL
Dual premiership player Marlion Pickett has pleaded guilty to two charges relating to a series of serious burglaries which took place over two years ago.
The former Richmond star, 33, who had enjoyed a storied rise to the top of the AFL, had originally been charged with 12 offences in relation to four burglaries that took place between December 3, 2022, and January 3, 2023.
He was accused of helping to steal over $350,000 from businesses around Western Australia. Some of those accusations included aggravated burglary, stealing and criminal damage.
However, the majority of those charges were dropped after prosecutors held negotiations with the former Richmond star’s lawyers.
Both parties reasoned there was ‘no public interest’ in pursuing them.
Instead, during an appearance in the District Court in Perth on Thursday, Pickett pleaded guilty to one charge of dealing with money that was the proceeds of crime and a second charge of possessing money that was the proceeds of crime between December 4 and December 10, 2022.
Former footy star Marlion Pickett (pictured) has pleaded guilty to two charges relating to serious commercial burglaries
The 33-year-old is best known for his storied rise to the top of the AFL, where he won two premiership titles
Pickett (pictured right with partner Jess) is now due to appear in court on December 4 for sentencing
He was arrested in 2022 in connection with the thefts, which took place in Perth, Beverley and Bindoon and Girrawheen between 2022 and 2023.
The largest theft took place in Girrawheen, where $325,000 was allegedly stolen from a currency exchange.
The 33-year-old, who was snapped up by the Tigers as a No 13 pick in the 2019 mid-season rookie draft following six years at South Fremantle, was accused of hiring a campervan to move the stolen funds across Australia.
He was also accused of buying tools and clothes for the heists.
The footy star was allegedly renumerated with $15,000 of the stolen cash.
After joining the Tigers, Pickett, who hails from South Fremantle, famously went on to become the first player to debut in a premiership Grand Final in 67 years in 2019.
The half-back also helped guide Richmond to the 2020 title, in what was just his 20th game at the club.
Pickett would go on to return 27 goals across 91 appearances for the footy club, before hanging up his boots in 2024.
He will now remain on bail ahead of his sentencing on December 4.
