Melbourne Demons have made a bold move to secure their star player, Kysaiah Pickett, with an ambitious nine-year contract proposal valued at approximately $12.5 million, equating to around $1.4 million per season. This deal is set to extend his tenure at the club until the conclusion of the 2034 season, effectively overriding the last two years of his current contract.
If accepted, this agreement would mark the most lucrative contract in AFL history, positioning Pickett as the longest-signed player in the league, surpassing Fremantle’s Hayden Young, who is currently signed until 2033.
Fremantle is reportedly keen on the 24-year-old forward, but the club is faced with constraints related to their salary cap, making it highly improbable they could match Melbourne’s generous offer. With the clock ticking — less than a week for Fremantle to counter — the situation remains tense.
Despite earlier struggles with homesickness, Pickett has rebounded impressively, showcasing his best form this season by taking on a more prominent midfield role. In a recent match against Collingwood on the King’s Birthday, he scored three goals, bringing his season total to 21. However, his performance was somewhat marred by a pivotal 50-metre penalty in the final moments that influenced the game’s outcome.
Prior to this, Pickett had garnered attention after a stellar five-goal game against Sydney, and speculation swirled around his potential departure to Perth, where he has family connections. In March, fellow Demons captain Max Gawn expressed his intention to support Pickett, addressing concerns about his potential move. Pickett clarified these rumours when asked, describing his interactions with friends at Fremantle as casual and friendly, stating, “I’m contracted at Melbourne. I’m having fun there, and I love it at the club.”
As negotiations unfold and the future remains uncertain, the Demons have made their intentions clear — they are committed to keeping Kysaiah Pickett as a cornerstone of their team for years to come.