“I’m just focusing on this year, to be honest. I’m loving my footy at the moment, as you can see,” Pickett said.
“The club is great … they look after me very well, so I’m just grateful.”
Cats’ star wingman inching close to signing
Geelong rising star Ollie Dempsey is getting nearer to finalising a contract extension that is expected to lock him in until his free-agency year, as he develops into one of the best wingmen in the game.
“We are getting there, I am loving it here so hopefully that gets done in the near future,” Dempsey said.
Young Cats star Ollie Dempsey is on fire in 2025Credit: AFL Photos
“[I’m] loving life and playing my footy, [there’s] been a bit of hype coming the past few weeks [but I’m] just playing my role for the team.”
Last year’s Rising Star award winner has kicked 18 goals this season to build upon his 22 majors last season as he becomes an attacking weapon for the Cats, with his hard-running style perfectly suited to the modern game.
He said he has been disappointed with his inaccurate kicking in recent matches when he has kicked 2.6 – the 22-year-old revealing he had plenty of improvement left.
“I don’t have much routine. I need to work on that a bit,” Dempsey admitted.
“I feel confident around goals backing my instincts.”
Bomber injuries force change of tack at mid-season draft
Essendon will take four players in Wednesday’s mid-season draft, with the recent spate of injuries forcing a pivot from the club’s normal philosophy regarding selecting players mid-year.
Where ordinarily club CEO Craig Vozzo and list boss Matt Rosa approach the draft with a view to getting a jump on the national draft and taking longer-term eligible players, this year injuries have depleted their depth to such an extent they have to look for immediate back-ups – even if those players become short-term solutions.
Both Vozzo and Rosa will be at Adam Selwood’s Perth funeral on Wednesday morning ahead of the draft.
While the Bombers like tall lockdown defender Oscar Adams, they are likely to prioritise others such as Glenelg 18-year-old Harry Ramm, the athletic 202-centimetre key-position player and ruck, with their early picks, and don’t expect Adams to still be there for them. Gold Coast have also been interested in Adams.
Sam Draper’s injury has forced the Bombers to seek a ruck back up. Credit: Getty Images
Claremont’s Ollie Eastland, GWV Rebels’ Floyd Burmeister, and Murray Bushranger Ky Harding are other rucks they have been monitoring, but they are unlikely to pursue AFL-experienced ruck Brayden Crossley.
Former Melbourne and GWS key-position player Adam Tomlinson was a withdrawal from North’s VFL side at the weekend, prompting clubs to speculate that clubs were keen on him. While Essendon have interest in him, it appears unlikely at this stage they will go for him. The 199-centimetre Werribee defender Ryan Eyers is also on the Dons’ shortlist.
As this masthead reported on Monday, multiple clubs – including Adelaide, Carlton, Collingwood and North Melbourne – have spoken to key forward Archer May, who is playing for Subiaco in the WAFL.
The 198-centimetre forward has requested an 18-month contract as part of nominated terms for the draft, a requirement that suggested he had been given guarantees by a club. The contract terms tactic is unlikely to scare away other potential suitors.
While Collingwood are interested in him, it is doubtful May will still be there at their pick, with North Melbourne favoured to call his name.
The Magpies have been tracking Eastern Ranges’ athletic, running half-back Rod Ali, who has played for their VFL team. Collingwood have had success in taking players in the mid-season draft after working with them in the VFL and watching them more closely, with Ned Long emerging this year as a regular first-choice midfielder after arriving at the club through the mid-season draft via their VFL side.
The draft will be held remotely from 6.30pm Wednesday (AEST), and broadcast on the AFL website.
An AFL spokesman said that, due to the postponement of the opening round games due to the cyclone, the draft order was determined on a reverse win percentage basis.
2025 AFL MID-SEASON ROOKIE DRAFT ORDER
Round 1
1. West Coast
2. North Melbourne
3. Port Adelaide
4. Carlton
5. Western Bulldogs
6. Essendon
7. Gold Coast
8. Collingwood
Round 2
9. West Coast
10. North Melbourne
11. Port Adelaide
12. Western Bulldogs
13. Essendon
14. Gold Coast
15. Collingwood
Round 3
16. Port Adelaide
17. Essendon
Round 4
18. Essendon
Every player nominated for the AFL’s mid-season draft
The nominations are in for Wednesday’s mid-season rookie draft.
The full list of 338 players who’ve thrown their hat into the ring includes a host of 18-year-olds playing in the Coates Talent League, ranging up to 32-year-old Sam Darley, who plays for the Melton South in the Riddell District Football Netball League.
