Melbourne is certain Kysaiah Pickett will return from his personal leave to face St Kilda this weekend and is open to a flexible training program moving forward.<\/p>\n
Pickett flew to Darwin on Tuesday to deal with a relationship split but is expected to be back at training on Thursday ahead of Sunday\u2019s clash with the Saints.<\/p>\n
Pickett and partner Ardu Cubillo share a daughter, who is set to turn two in coming weeks.<\/p>\n
New Melbourne coach Steven King says he is committed to a family-first policy for all staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were pretty proactive with it, Kozzy needed to get back for family reasons and I fully support any father at our club to make sure they get to support their family,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a no-brainer for us. Kozzy will be back tomorrow (and) he will do our T2 (main training) and play.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something I want to provide flexibility for our staff and players, that family is equally or more important than just a game of footy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can make the two co-exist, so we\u2019ll give Kozzy all the time he needs to take care of his family, his daughter and he\u2019ll be fine.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll work that with him throughout the season progresses but he\u2019ll play.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pickett, who re-signed on a long-term deal last season, has been one of the Demons\u2019 standout performers across King\u2019s first pre-season.<\/p>\n
The brilliant mid-forward is, in many ways, the key to Melbourne\u2019s potential success this season.<\/p>\n
But King is open to Pickett visiting the Top End whenever he needs and is willing to create an accommodating training program.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s done all the sessions with us, I think moving forward we\u2019ll set up an opportunity if there is a requirement to go back throughout the season,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll be structured with the facilities they\u2019ve got up there, the Michael Long Centre, and I know Michael McLean is up there.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of us at the club here and Kozzy have a lot of contacts in the Northern Territory so if he does have to go back once a month or so, we\u2019ll make sure he ticks off what he needs to from a physical stand point.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously as well, he doesn\u2019t miss out from an education point of view what we need to keep growing in our game.\u201d<\/p>\n