Dual Richmond premiership player Marlion Pickett has been handed a suspended prison term for possessing and dealing with proceeds of crime, in what the judge described as a “line-ball decision”.

Pickett had been facing a dozen criminal charges, including aggravated burglary, stealing and criminal damage, relating to incidents alleged to have taken place in suburban Perth, Beverley and Bindoon in late 2022 and early 2023.

But those charges were later dropped, and in May he pleaded guilty to two new charges — dealing with money that was the proceeds of an offence and possessing money that was the proceeds of an offence.

Marlion Pickett walks away from a building wearing a black suit and red shirt, with an older man on his left.

Pickett was joined in court on Wednesday by a supporter as he was sentenced. (ABC News: Briana Shepherd)

The new charges involved stolen foreign currency being transported from Perth to other parts of the country.

In the Perth District Court on Wednesday, Pickett was sentenced to two years in jail, suspended for a period of 12 months. 

Marlion Pickett is about to catch the football while running

Pickett was a two-time premiership player for Richmond and played 91 AFL games at the club. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

Judge Laurence Levy told Pickett the decision to give him a suspended prison term had been on a “knife’s edge”, having taken into consideration the seriousness of the offences alongside Pickett’s early guilty pleas and commitment to rehabilitation.

Car used for trip with money 

In December 2022, two of Pickett’s co-accused came into possession of stolen currency amounting to at least $300,000, the court heard.

On December 5, Pickett signed a rental agreement for a car the pair intended to drive from Perth to Melbourne.

A bearded man in a baseball cap

Pickett pleaded guilty to charges of possessing and dealing with stolen money, but other charges were dropped. (ABC News: Aran Hart)

Along the way various amounts of foreign money were exchanged, and in one instance gold bullion was bought.

Days later Pickett received two bank transfers, of $6,000 and $9,000.

Judge Levy said Pickett aided the pair by signing the car rental agreement, knowing what they intended to use it for.

Pickett then came into possession of $5,000 USD, which he exchanged into Australian dollars in Victoria in January 2023.

Burglary charge dropped as ex-AFL player Marlion Pickett pleads guilty

Marlion Pickett, who had a fairytale rise to the top in AFL football,  pleads guilty to charges relating to stolen money. 

The court was told Pickett was related to one of the men, and had previously helped both of them out.

Judge Levy said he accepted Pickett’s primary motivation was a sense of loyalty to his family.

Pickett played 91 AFL games for Richmond after joining the club as a 27-year-old in 2019, famously playing in a premiership in his first-ever senior game.

He became a dual premiership player the following year when Richmond defeated Geelong at the Gabba, and retired from the AFL in 2024.

Long road to AFL

But Pickett had a rocky road before he ever played an AFL game, after being imprisoned when he was 18 years old. 

Judge Levy said during that time in custody, from 2010 to 2013, he played football for the Wooroloo prison team where his talent was identified by scouts and he was asked to play for WAFL team, South Fremantle.

He was selected by Richmond in the 2019 mid-season draft. 

Judge Levy said while Pickett’s contract with Richmond saw him earn a significant salary, he had little to no savings.

He said this was due to Pickett’s Aboriginal culture and his ingrained sense of duty.

Richmond Tigers player Marlion Pickett celebrates grand final win holding up cup smiling in front of crowd

Marlion Pickett’s first game of AFL football was the 2019 grand final.  (AAP: Michael Dodge)

“[You were] asked extensively for help and gave away freely,” Judge Levy said.

Judge Levy read from some of those who had written letters of reference for the former footballer, including Paul Litherland, a former WA Police officer and now cyber safety advocate, who was in court supporting Pickett.

Pickett’s wife, mother and four children were also in court.

Judge Levy told Pickett he believed the 33-year-old had the ability to inspire others.

“You still have a great deal to offer not just your community but the wider community as well,” he said.

After the sentencing, Pickett thanked those who had supported him and said he wanted to focus on helping others.

“Just [be] a better example, be the person that people can look up to and do the best for them,” he said.

Pickett was ordered to may more than $21,000 in restitution for the amount of money he had personally received from the crimes.

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