Melbourne first-round draftee Latrelle Pickett grew up barracking for the Demons as cousin Kysaiah made his debut before going on to play a key role in the club's drought-breaking 2021 premiership season.
Now, the small forward is set to make memories wearing red and blue, with his selection at Pick 12 the romantic story of night one of the AFL Draft.
The South Australian was invited to the event at the 11th hour, and, unbeknownst to him, went on to have his guernsey presented to him by his cousin.
“It means a lot,” Pickett said.
“I've been going for Melbourne since I was a kid and seeing Kozzy do his thing has been awesome, so I can't wait to meet the fans. I'm really happy.
“It was definitely a dream of mine to play on the big stage and I think I can handle it, so I can't wait to get that opportunity.”
"I want to bring speed and goals to Melbourne. I watch Kozzie all the time and model my game off him, so I can't wait to be with him.
“I definitely have improved my fitness and defending, so I want to keep improving on that and can't wait to get started at Melbourne.”
The Glenelg product received much fanfare in the second half of 2025, but captured attention with his raw attributes immediately in 2025.
Another Pickett in the AFL 👀
A roughie worth monitoring in draft conversations is Latrelle Sumner-Pickett - the cousin of Melbourne’s Kozzie.
The 183cm fwd kicked 3.1 in the SA U18 v U20 game on Saturday, impressing onlookers with his x-factor & pace. @zerohanger #AFLDraft
— Jonty Ralphsmith (@JontyRalphsmith) May 20, 2025
So taken were some clubs by what he was able to do in his first season back in the talent pathway that there was the possibility of him being selected in the Mid-Season Rookie Draft if he was eligible for selection.
As a result of Pickett not playing at least three league games last year and not nominating for the 2024 National Draft, he was ineligible to be selected at the mid-season intake.
But he continued performing, kicking 32 goals in 18 reserves games, as well as impressing in a four-goal SANFL debut.
"It was definitely a challenge to stay consistent after all the talk,” Pickett admitted.
“After the first couple of games I had a meeting with a club, that was crazy, and then there was a lot of talk but family's the most important thing to me and they helped me keep my head screwed on.
"I waited for [Wednesday] night to hear my name called out, so I was just waiting for that.”
