Due to the coronavirus financial cuts within the AFL industry and in particular its players, tiger Marlion Pickett is seeking help from the AFLPA to further help support his family.
The Age reported that Pickett has received a big pay cut in the wake of COVID-19, leaving him earning around $3000 a week which is needed to support not only himself, but his wife and four children.
Richmond Head of Football Neil Balme is aiming to do what he can to support Pickett, and will be looking at ways outside of the salary cap to help Pickett through this tough time.
“We’ve been doing a lot of work with the AFL and we’re pretty sure that will be resolved,” Balme told SEN Breakfast.
“The whole rookie thing is a challenge and particularly given these circumstances as well and particularly a kid like (Pickett) given he has a wife and four kids on his own.
“We’ve been working hard behind the scenes and we’ve got a couple of genuine opportunities for him to do which are valuable for both him and the community and our club which we’re pretty sure the AFL will respond positively to.
“I do feel for (the AFL) a little bit because everyone’s got a great idea to spend money outside of the (Total Player Payments) and a lot of them (the AFL) do have to knock back.
“They’ve been quite challenging on making sure that these are bona fide and I’m pretty sure we’re in a position where that will happen.
“If it doesn’t (happen) I’ll come back on the show next week and give them a cook. I think we’ll be able to do something for Marlion as well.”
