DARREN MONCRIEFF
Monday, August 15, 2011
THIS time he insists it is his final season so there's no time like the present for Allistair Pickett to celebrate a fine double.
The WAFL's most resilient footballer, Pickett, who is two Sun rotations away from turning 40, was last week added to the WA 200 Club after playing his 200th league match.
The four premiership points the Lions collected in his milestone game, after a hard-fought 14-point win over Perth, gave Pickett more reason to celebrate.
Last month, we reported Pickett playing his 200th career game. That tally was for 172 games for Subiaco, 22 for Peel Thunder, three for West Perth and three for Western Australia.
Excluding those State games, Pickett has now added to his league match tally for Subiaco to join the club.
He was the only Aboriginal footballer among seven new additions to the exclusive WA 200 Club.
The latest intake takes the club to more than 350 State league footballers and coaches and over 40 umpires who have participated in the minimum 200 games.
Pickett called time on his even-then remarkable career following the Lions' grand final loss to South Fremantle in 2009. But a chance encounter at the gym with Subiaco coach Chris Waterman, and the idea that Pickett could play a bit role at the Lions, convinced the Nyoongar champion to go around again.
He's continued to play that role, as a small, dangerous forward, effectively.
This season, Pickett's goal tally is 21 from 14 games, which compares favourably with his 25 goals from 17 games last year.
But perhaps the most telling statistic is Pickett's tackle count. In 2010, he laid 13 tackles, an acceptable tally considering his age. This year, however, Pickett has put the clamps on opposition players a phenomenal 48 times -- that's an amazing 35 tackles up from last season from three less games, while he has also virtually halved his free-kicks-against count from 17 down to eight this year. It is no coincidence Subiaco remains a credible threat in the WAFL premiership race after missing the finals last season.
When Pickett finally puts his boots away, he will do so as one of the most decorated Aboriginal footballers in the game.
There's the two Sandover Medals, a Subiaco fairest-and-best, selection in Subiaco's Team of the Century and Team of the Decade (2000s) and, the ultimate, four WAFL premiership medals which elevates him alongside some of the game's greats.
Such is the regard Pickett is held at Subiaco, he is on the cover, front and centre, of a new book released earlier this year, called The Glory Years: The Story of the Subiaco Football Club (2000-2010), celebrating the club's remarkable run over the past 10 years.
Last year, Pickett realised what few in football at the elite level have achieved: playing league footy with his son, Alliston, for three games.
Although the younger Pickett hasn't added to his league tally this season, he is on track to remain at the Lions long term. For inspiration of what is possible, he need only look to his Dad.
200 REASONS TO SMILE: Allistair Pickett is chaired from the ground by team-mates after his 200th WAFL match. INSET: Pickett on the cover of The Glory Years.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 15/08/2011 17:15