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Bumped Billy Picken?

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I posted this last year, I was lucky enough to see him play and play against him,

1990 I was playing seniors for Portland in the Western Border League , Billy was captain/coach of Hamilton, he must've been close to 40 at the time,
he killed us kicked 12, he played full forward ,I was back pocket

I was saying to him during the game what a legend he was, he smiled and patted me on the back and yes he commentated hisown play during the game "here comes Billy" absolute Gold:thumbsu:
 
Billy Picken is also the uncle of none other than one J.Brown at the Lions, both Liam and Marcus (who was drafted by Brisbane, but never really made it and ended up injured) are his first cousins.

There are some good bloodlines there.
 
BILL PICKEN
1956-
Career span: 1974-1983, 1986
Games: 212
Goals: 46
Position: Centre Half Back
Playing stats: 185 cms, 85 kgs
Honours: Copeland trophy 1983; Runner-up in Copeland Trophy, 1977,78,79,81; 3rd in Copeland Trophy 1975; Best player in finals 1975,78,79,81; Most determined 1978; Best country recruit 1974; deputy vice captain 1980; Reserves best and fairest 1975; Life member; interstate representative 1977,79,80; 3rd in Brownlow Medal 1975

When older commentators bemoan the lack of ‘characters’ in modern football, it is players like Billy Picken they are missing. Bill’s idiosyncratic brilliance made him one of Collingwood’s most beloved stars of the 1970s and 80s.

Originally a skinny, but inaccurate forward, once reserves coach Ron Richards moved Picken into defence in his second year, he immediately became one of the league’s great defenders. One of the most spectacular marks of a high flying era, Picken developed a reputation as both a superb centre half back and as something of an on-field eccentric.

Legend had it that he was ‘a fantastic bloke and a great player, but a raving lunatic’ on the field. He apparently commentated on the action around him, talked to himself, yelled, stirred his opponents and overacted for free kicks. He famously cried out ‘Here comes Billy!’ when flying for his some of his many marks.

But all the while, he was a wonderful, attacking defender, running hard and flying high. Billy’s kicking didn’t improve a lot once he went to defence – he couldn’t get more than 40 metres accurately, but like Tony Shaw, he learnt to work within his limitations and his short passing became much more efficient. Not a big man for a key position player, his game consisted of incredible strengths and weaknesses that he worked hard to counter. He was out of the ordinary in most respects.

For all the outlandish elements and stories about Bill’s on field fanaticism, there was no doubting he had the ‘right stuff’. He was no clown, but was merely so involved in the game that his quirks became exaggerated.

The greatest testament to how seriously he took his footy was his unparalleled record in big games. He won Collingwood’s best player in the finals award a staggering four times.

Unlike some others in the late 70s, Billy Picken always rose to the big occasion. His strong attack on the ball and willingness to back his judgement and take marks rather than spoil, never faltered, no matter how much pressure he or the team was under.

Magpie fans lucky enough to have watched Billy’s career saw a magnificent mark, a unique character and a great clubman who always served the black and white with passion.
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From Collingwoods team of the century.

http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/team of the century/tabid/9236/default.aspx

Great player, used to love watching him jumping on packs and taking speccies.
 
Yes what a gentleman Bill is too having spoken to him a few times at Williamstown when we were aligned with them, he was there nearly every week. Everything about his playing ability has been said already yes very skillfull a fave son and an absolute character.
I did wonder why Collingwood did not Rookie him but apparently he was concentrating on his studies the first years he was at Willy. I wish him all the Best with the Bulldogs. I did wonder the the last year we were with Willy why Collingwood would not be interested in him in 2008 then bang we were stand alone.
 

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Rupert said:
Yes what a gentleman Bill is too having spoken to him a few times at Williamstown when we were aligned with them, he was there nearly every week. Everything about his playing ability has been said already yes very skillfull a fave son and an absolute character.
I did wonder why Collingwood did not Rookie him but apparently he was concentrating on his studies the first years he was at Willy. I wish him all the Best with the Bulldogs. I did wonder the the last year we were with Willy why Collingwood would not be interested in him in 2008 then bang we were stand alone.
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I recall the question being asked about Liam several times while we were affiliated with Willie, but the consensus from the people who watched each week was that his disposal wasn't that great, wasn't that quick, in short he didn't do anything well enough to stand out ahead of similar players we already had on our list.

The kid has kept working hard on his game and kept improving over the last couple of years (credit to him), the Dogs needed a tagger and he was ready made. Good luck to him.
 
KissStephanie said:
Collingwood Team of the Century. Copeland Trophy winner in 1978 (tied with Ray Shaw) and 1983.
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Sums Billy up really. An adored one of the Magpie Social Club (and others) with heaps of courage and leap but just couldn't kick. True he was a BIG game player; in fact, rarely played a poor game for the Pies.

It rally broke my heart at the end of his career when he went to Sydney (?) as I couldn't imagine such a loved one would ever leave the Pies.

Go 25!
 
stui magpie said:
From Collingwoods team of the century.

Honours: Copeland trophy 1983; Runner-up in Copeland Trophy, 1977,78,79,81; 3rd in Copeland Trophy 1975; Best player in finals 1975,78,79,81; Most determined 1978; Best country recruit 1974; deputy vice captain 1980; Reserves best and fairest 1975; Life member; interstate representative 1977,79,80; 3rd in Brownlow Medal 1975.
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His win in the 1983 Copeland Trophy was his first at the time, but in 2002, he was awarded the 1978 Copeland Trophy retrospectively. He tied with Ray Shaw in 1978, but lost to him in a count back, but that does not occur anymore and since 1994, all joint winners share the award as it is with the Brownlow Medal.

Although it was before my time, it seems that 1975 was a strange year for him. He played 11 matches in the seniors and was 3rd in the Copeland Trophy and best player in Collingwood's Elimination Final loss, and he was also the Best and Fairest winner in the Reserves. He wasn't 3rd in the 1975 Brownlow Medal though. That was 1977.

From 19 May 2002:

Champion Collingwood centre half back Bill Picken will be awarded a retrospective 1978 Copeland Trophy, after originally losing the club championship to rover Ray Shaw in a count back.

In 1994, the Magpies abolished the count back system, and for the first time in the coveted medal’s history, joint club champions were declared after Nathan Buckley and Gavin Brown tied. At the time, no recognition was made of past players who had lost the award in a count back, a situation the club is keen to rectify, in this, the 75th year anniversary (2002) of the Copeland Trophy.

Bill Picken, who played 212 games for Collingwood in eleven seasons, is the first confirmed recipient of a retrospective Copeland Trophy, and will be presented with a “1978” medal at this year's (2002) best and fairest night.
lihei said:
It really broke my heart at the end of his career when he went to Sydney (?) as I couldn't imagine such a loved one would ever leave the Pies.
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He was only 27 and it was the year after he won the 1983 Copeland Trophy when he went to Sydney for two seasons. At least he returned to Collingwood in 1986 for five more matches and retired as a Collingwood player.
 
You never really knew what Billy might do. Capable of the freakish and the downright sloppy. Always a favorite and I was very sad to see him go to Sydney.

There was always speculation that his kid should be taken father / son. Personally, I think the club would have done their homework and decided there were better options available. Good to see him get a chance and start to make good.
 
He also tried to pick my mum up at the butchers, or someone impostering as Billy, which seems unlikely.

"Billy want's 500g of Strass and a date."
 
Timmy from Thomastown said:
Absolute star and a proven big game finals performer. Best position was in defence although could play CHF quite competently as well. Spectacular mark but a pretty poor kick. Scruffy, always played with his socks down and his jumper untucked. Along with Ricky Barham he was my favorite player in my teenage years.

One of the games great characters and a complete motor mouth. Apparently when setting up for a speccy mark he'd shout "here comes Billy".
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It's a classic! .... there's no doubt about about it. :):thumbsu:

About his kicking I remember his left being just completely awful. I can't recall his right being all that terrible though ....... mind you it's an era where banging a big torp was common so he probably mongrelled a few?

Timmy from Thomastown said:
I was at Vic Park the day he played against Collingwood. It was sad to see a legend in opposition colours. The crowd couldnt and wouldnt boo him,in fact he got a few cheers.
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Great story. :thumbsu::)

Completely different to about 6 years back when we played the Swans at a pre-season game at Vic Park and Nick Davis was playing. Man it was so funny with the hardcore supporters absolutely ripping into him.
 
lihei said:
Sums Billy up really. An adored one of the Magpie Social Club (and others) with heaps of courage and leap but just couldn't kick. True he was a BIG game player; in fact, rarely played a poor game for the Pies.

It rally broke my heart at the end of his career when he went to Sydney (?) as I couldn't imagine such a loved one would ever leave the Pies.

Go 25!
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He did come back though it was too late, he had lost it.
 

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Reading some old posts here & came across this 11 year old post about Billy Picken, who was my favourite player when I was a teen through the 70's & 80's.
Seeing a few here mention how it was a shame Billy left for the Swans in '84, but had the administration at the time looked after him, he wouldn't have gone.

Yes, injuries were starting to occur, but he had just landed a Copeland & when asking for a pay rise so he was on par with the recent interstate arrivals, the powers that be said "no". Sydney had come in with a big pay day, but Billy was willing to stay at Vic Park for less, as long as it was an increase on his current pay & in line with the likes of Mark Williams, Mick Taylor, & a few others.

Can't blame him for cashing in when he probably thought he had 3-4 years max, if injuries stayed away. Not sure this ever made it to press, but being a club member at the time & spending enough time in the social club (also getting into the rooms pre & post game), kept you up to speed with quite a lot of what was going on behind the scenes.

Just on the subject of Liam - Brad Gosh, who was Willy coach at the time, couldn't recommend Liam enough, but the Pies wouldn't listen. Buckley knew of him as he'd seen him first hand in a Willy game when they shared the same field in one of Bucks' comeback games (from injury). Liam played a blinder that day, but still wasn't considered 'fashionable'. The article can be found online if anybody cares to search for an article from The Age in 2009 - "picken-up-the-pace".

The club ****ed up with this one - something my old man still stews over today.
 
Seem to remember him kicking a goal on the run to the Sherrin stand end in 1986 and the crowd went wild. But he certainly wasn't the same player who whipped Mark MacLures arse on a regular basis.
 
fantum said:
Reading some old posts here & came across this 11 year old post about Billy Picken, who was my favourite player when I was a teen through the 70's & 80's.
Seeing a few here mention how it was a shame Billy left for the Swans in '84, but had the administration at the time looked after him, he wouldn't have gone.

Yes, injuries were starting to occur, but he had just landed a Copeland & when asking for a pay rise so he was on par with the recent interstate arrivals, the powers that be said "no". Sydney had come in with a big pay day, but Billy was willing to stay at Vic Park for less, as long as it was an increase on his current pay & in line with the likes of Mark Williams, Mick Taylor, & a few others.

Can't blame him for cashing in when he probably thought he had 3-4 years max, if injuries stayed away. Not sure this ever made it to press, but being a club member at the time & spending enough time in the social club (also getting into the rooms pre & post game), kept you up to speed with quite a lot of what was going on behind the scenes.

Just on the subject of Liam - Brad Gosh, who was Willy coach at the time, couldn't recommend Liam enough, but the Pies wouldn't listen. Buckley knew of him as he'd seen him first hand in a Willy game when they shared the same field in one of Bucks' comeback games (from injury). Liam played a blinder that day, but still wasn't considered 'fashionable'. The article can be found online if anybody cares to search for an article from The Age in 2009 - "picken-up-the-pace".

The club ****ed up with this one - something my old man still stews over today.
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As I recall it, Willi actually begged the Doggies to rookie Liam, even paid a proportion of his rookie salary. Even then, it took him a few years playing predominantly as a tagger to find his place at the Dogs.
 

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fantum said:
Reading some old posts here & came across this 11 year old post about Billy Picken, who was my favourite player when I was a teen through the 70's & 80's.
Seeing a few here mention how it was a shame Billy left for the Swans in '84, but had the administration at the time looked after him, he wouldn't have gone.

Yes, injuries were starting to occur, but he had just landed a Copeland & when asking for a pay rise so he was on par with the recent interstate arrivals, the powers that be said "no". Sydney had come in with a big pay day, but Billy was willing to stay at Vic Park for less, as long as it was an increase on his current pay & in line with the likes of Mark Williams, Mick Taylor, & a few others.

Can't blame him for cashing in when he probably thought he had 3-4 years max, if injuries stayed away. Not sure this ever made it to press, but being a club member at the time & spending enough time in the social club (also getting into the rooms pre & post game), kept you up to speed with quite a lot of what was going on behind the scenes.

Just on the subject of Liam - Brad Gosh, who was Willy coach at the time, couldn't recommend Liam enough, but the Pies wouldn't listen. Buckley knew of him as he'd seen him first hand in a Willy game when they shared the same field in one of Bucks' comeback games (from injury). Liam played a blinder that day, but still wasn't considered 'fashionable'. The article can be found online if anybody cares to search for an article from The Age in 2009 - "picken-up-the-pace".

The club ****ed up with this one - something my old man still stews over today.
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Nothing to do with bucks

Try the swengali mick
 
fantum said:
Reading some old posts here & came across this 11 year old post about Billy Picken, who was my favourite player when I was a teen through the 70's & 80's.
Seeing a few here mention how it was a shame Billy left for the Swans in '84, but had the administration at the time looked after him, he wouldn't have gone.

Yes, injuries were starting to occur, but he had just landed a Copeland & when asking for a pay rise so he was on par with the recent interstate arrivals, the powers that be said "no". Sydney had come in with a big pay day, but Billy was willing to stay at Vic Park for less, as long as it was an increase on his current pay & in line with the likes of Mark Williams, Mick Taylor, & a few others.

Can't blame him for cashing in when he probably thought he had 3-4 years max, if injuries stayed away. Not sure this ever made it to press, but being a club member at the time & spending enough time in the social club (also getting into the rooms pre & post game), kept you up to speed with quite a lot of what was going on behind the scenes.

Just on the subject of Liam - Brad Gosh, who was Willy coach at the time, couldn't recommend Liam enough, but the Pies wouldn't listen. Buckley knew of him as he'd seen him first hand in a Willy game when they shared the same field in one of Bucks' comeback games (from injury). Liam played a blinder that day, but still wasn't considered 'fashionable'. The article can be found online if anybody cares to search for an article from The Age in 2009 - "picken-up-the-pace".

The club ****ed up with this one - something my old man still stews over today.
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you were a great player billy, so was Liam
 
Timmy from Thomastown said:
I was screaming my head off at the 2016 GF. I didnt want the Dogs to win.... I wanted Billys boy to win.

One of the great neutral Grand Finals I have enjoyed watching... Liam was awesome that day....rapt that a premiership medallion ended up around a Picken's neck.
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Certainly added something but mum played with Footscray’s women’s teams in the 50’s and was a life long supporter so I was on them for her.
 

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Bumped Billy Picken?

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