Six fast facts about Liam Picken
Third time lucky
Perseverance is a word that best describes Liam Picken’s early career. Overlooked twice by AFL clubs, after completing consecutive preseasons with Collingwood and the Bulldogs, it was third time lucky for Picken, taken as a mature-age recruit with the 30th overall selection in the 2009 AFL Rookie Draft. To ensure his passage into the AFL ranks, his VFL club Williamstown committed to pay $20,000 to his rookie wage, such was their faith in Picken’s prospects in the big league.
Rookie list revelation
Picken is one of nine senior-listed players that have emerged from the an AFL rookie list, and alongside Matthew Boyd and Dale Morris, one of three to have played 150 games. Seven of the Bulldogs side to play in Picken’s 150th game, Saturday’s Elimination Final at the MCG against Adelaide, will be former rookie listed players (Picken, Morris, Boyd, Biggs, Jong, Redpath, Dahlhaus).
Free-wheeling, ball winner
Building a reputation as a close-checking run with player for most of his career, under coach Luke Beveridge, Picken has assumed a more traditional ball-winning, midfield role in 2015. His three most prolific ball-winning performances have all come this season – a career high 36 disposals against Gold Coast in Round 15, and 33 disposal games against Collingwood (Round 17) and Sydney (Round 5). In 2015, Picken has averaged 23 disposals per game, six above his career average of 17.
Green and gold
In just Picken’s second season in the AFL ranks, he was selected in Australia’s International Rules team to play Ireland under the leadership of coach Mick Malthouse. The line-up also included Bulldog teammates Matthew Boyd and Daniel Cross.
Seasoned in September
In his debut season, Picken missed just one senior game after his Round 2 debut against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. Picken played all three finals in his first season at the Kennel, backing up to do the same the following season. With six finals to his credit, and a NAB Cup Premiership, Picken is no stranger to the big stage.
Tough as nails
Since his debut in 2009, you could nearly count the number of games Picken has missed on two hands. He’s played 20 games or more in each of his seven seasons in the AFL ranks, and has missed just four games of football in his last three seasons. He’s played 149 of a possible 160 games since arriving at the Kennel in 2009. And if his durability didn’t confirm just how tough he is, he’s ranked the #10 tackler in the competition in season 2015, not afraid to get his hands dirty.
Liam Picken
Guernsey number: 42
Recruited from: Hamilton/North Ballarat U18/Williamstown
Recruited: 2009 AFL Rookie Draft, selection 30 overall
Debut: Round 2 2009 (North Melbourne)
Games: 149
Goals: 46
Disposals: 2531
Tackles: 719
2015 Stats:
- Average 23 disposals
- Average 4 marks
- Average 6 tackles
- Average 101 AFL Fantasy points
- 10th in league for average tackles
Career Highlights:
- Round 15 v Gold Coast 2015: 36 disposals, 7 marks, 9 tackles
- Round 17 v Collingwood 2015: 33 disposals, 6 marks, 8 tackles
- Round 5 v Sydney 2015: 33 disposals, 4 marks, 12 tackles
Awards/Achievements:
- Western Bulldogs third B&F 2012
- Western Bulldogs best team player 2012
- AFL NAB Cup Western Bulldogs premiership side 2010
- International Rules Series 2010
Bio:
Picked up as a mature-aged recruit, Picken joined the Club in 2009. He joins the Club’s long list of successful players to come off the rookie list including Matthew Boyd, Dale Morris and Jason Johannisen. Playing his first six years predominantly as a tagger, Picken has blossomed into a ball magnet in 2015, given the license to win the ball. He’s been one of the Club’s most important players this season, helping the Dogs reachthe finals. He signed a two-year deal in June 2015 that will keep him at the Club until the end of 2017.
