Guernsey Number: 42

Age: 26

Career Games: 87

Career Goals: 29

Debut: 2009

Games: 22

Goals: 9

Disposals: 404 (18.4)

Marks: 70 (3.2)

Tackles: 119 (5.4)

Going from strength to strength, Liam Picken solidified his standing as one of the league’s best defensive midfielders in 2012. No matter how hard he was pushed or prodded, the 26-year-old still maintained an even temperament against some of the league’s biggest names. Ranking third in the Charlie Sutton Medal, Picken also took out the Brad Johnson Best Team Player Award, a special honour given that both players and coaches influence its selection. 

Watch highlights from Liam Picken's season which saw him awarded third place at the Best and Fairest on the media player above.

One of Picken’s main strengths is his tackling pressure which sees him rank first at the Club for tackles (119) - 32 tackles more than the 2nd placed Matthew Boyd. The former rookie’s stats just emphasis his importance in the team, ranking fifth in kicks, fifth in handballs, fifth in rebound 50s, sixth in contested possessions, sixth in clearances and equal sixth in goals. He also saw a career best in disposals (28) and equalled his personal record with 13 tackles on multiple occasions this season. 

Picken became one of just three players to restrict Adelaide’s Patrick Dangerfield to less than 20 disposals in 2012. The round two match-up proved a standout for Picken, who not only kept Dangerfield to 18 disposals but collected 28 disposals, five marks, four clearances, four tackles and a goal himself.

Picken is an elite trainer and you’d expect nothing less in the 2013 pre-season campaign. The midfielder figures prominently in endurance and strength testing and will be looking to break his own personal best records this summer.  

View Liam Picken's player profile and season statistics.