Ford Fairlane
1 Apr 2006, 10:33
He and Choco are still friends. From the Herald Sun (http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,18667424%255E20322,00.html). Good luck to you Choppy, gotta say that Melbourne guernsey looks strange on you ...
Byron Pickett clears air with Williams
01 April 2006 Herald Sun
Mark Stevens
BYRON Pickett will start life as a Melbourne player content to be back on speaking terms with his old coach Mark Williams.
Determined to ensure the stand-off between the pair didn't linger any longer, Williams recently phoned Pickett to wish him the best for the season.
It was the first time they had spoken since a shattered Pickett walked out on Port Adelaide after being asked to accept a savage pay cut.
"I was happy to take his call. I've got no hard feelings against Choc (Williams)," Pickett said yesterday. "While I was there, he helped me play my best footy.
"I didn't have anything bad against him. Everyone knows it's a business now and that's the way it goes.
"He told me to say g'day to my partner, Rebecca, and the kids for him. It's always good when people ring up and ask about the kids."
Pickett, the 2004 Norm Smith medallist, endured the season from hell in 2005.
The 28-year-old was suspended for eight games, forcing Williams to declare his hard man was close to unemployable under the new rules.
"He actually rang me the day before and he told me he was going to say something like that," Pickett said of Williams' headline-grabbing statement.
"He didn't actually mean it, but he wanted to get the issue out in the public."
By the end of the season, Pickett was staring at a reduced incentive-based deal.
As a father of four, it was clear he was no longer employable at Port, and Pickett looked elsewhere to continue his career.
Melbourne, looking for some added hardness, offered him a significantly better two-year deal.
Now, after extra sessions to shed weight put on during the break, Pickett is ready to confront another former coach, Denis Pagan, at Telstra Dome tomorrow.
"I had to lose a little bit of weight to help me get around the field a bit quicker," Pickett said. "I'm probably around the same as I was last year."
Asked about the battle to rein in his waistline, Pickett said: "I'm finding it harder that way."
But although his weight and form have been up and down, the Demons are confident Pickett will instantly make them a better outfit.
Recycled players have a habit of burning their former teams, and Pickett can't wait for an opportunity to reassert his position as one of the AFL's most dangerous players.
"I think you always have a determination to prove yourself at a new club," Pickett said. "Last year is a year I want to forget."
Despite last year's suspension, Pickett is not about to change his human cannonball style.
"If I did worry about it, it would distract me," he said. "I'm just going to go out there and play the way I play. It's pretty hard to change, really."
Byron Pickett clears air with Williams
01 April 2006 Herald Sun
Mark Stevens
BYRON Pickett will start life as a Melbourne player content to be back on speaking terms with his old coach Mark Williams.
Determined to ensure the stand-off between the pair didn't linger any longer, Williams recently phoned Pickett to wish him the best for the season.
It was the first time they had spoken since a shattered Pickett walked out on Port Adelaide after being asked to accept a savage pay cut.
"I was happy to take his call. I've got no hard feelings against Choc (Williams)," Pickett said yesterday. "While I was there, he helped me play my best footy.
"I didn't have anything bad against him. Everyone knows it's a business now and that's the way it goes.
"He told me to say g'day to my partner, Rebecca, and the kids for him. It's always good when people ring up and ask about the kids."
Pickett, the 2004 Norm Smith medallist, endured the season from hell in 2005.
The 28-year-old was suspended for eight games, forcing Williams to declare his hard man was close to unemployable under the new rules.
"He actually rang me the day before and he told me he was going to say something like that," Pickett said of Williams' headline-grabbing statement.
"He didn't actually mean it, but he wanted to get the issue out in the public."
By the end of the season, Pickett was staring at a reduced incentive-based deal.
As a father of four, it was clear he was no longer employable at Port, and Pickett looked elsewhere to continue his career.
Melbourne, looking for some added hardness, offered him a significantly better two-year deal.
Now, after extra sessions to shed weight put on during the break, Pickett is ready to confront another former coach, Denis Pagan, at Telstra Dome tomorrow.
"I had to lose a little bit of weight to help me get around the field a bit quicker," Pickett said. "I'm probably around the same as I was last year."
Asked about the battle to rein in his waistline, Pickett said: "I'm finding it harder that way."
But although his weight and form have been up and down, the Demons are confident Pickett will instantly make them a better outfit.
Recycled players have a habit of burning their former teams, and Pickett can't wait for an opportunity to reassert his position as one of the AFL's most dangerous players.
"I think you always have a determination to prove yourself at a new club," Pickett said. "Last year is a year I want to forget."
Despite last year's suspension, Pickett is not about to change his human cannonball style.
"If I did worry about it, it would distract me," he said. "I'm just going to go out there and play the way I play. It's pretty hard to change, really."