Houston’s advocates argued that the tribunal made an error in law as Houston was entitled to either tackle or bump.

They also argued the AFL had not proven that Houston made contact with Rankine’s neck and the top of his shoulder, arguing photos showed he hit the “upper shoulder”.

The AFL said the 11 video angles and multiple still photos made it “patiently obvious” for the tribunal to find the contact was high.

The Power also argued that the penalty was manifestly excessive because no other bump ban this season was this severe without direct contact to the head.

The Charlie Cameron “good bloke” defence from earlier this season was also referenced, as Houston has played 168 AFL games and 18 SANFL games with only a melee fine.

“His record is more exemplary than Mr Cameron, who had the benefit of having his ban lowered,” the advocates argued.

The AFL said Houston’s penalty was not manifestly excessive, as the floor for a guilty finding was three matches.

The AFL referenced the Jimmy Webster case in pre-season, with the league arguing for an eight-match ban, one that was lowered to seven games.

AFL advocate Lisa Hannon said Webster had strong references, answered all questions and admitted he did the wrong thing, yet still received a significant ban.

Hannon also added that the Cameron case featured statistics, compelling character references and other information. She added that the tribunal also found that Houston had a good record.

This masthead reported this week that Carlton expect to take a first-round selection to this year’s draft, complicating any attempt to secure Port star Houston.

Marlion Pickett ends a remarkable footy tale

Andrew Wu

Of the 13,000-plus players in V/AFL history, few have a story as remarkable as Marlion Pickett, who plumbed the depths of life’s lows to climb the sport’s pinnacle and become the unlikeliest of Richmond heroes.

The end of the football road has come for Pickett, who on Saturday will wear the yellow and black for the 91st and final time when the Tigers take on Gold Coast.

It will be a bitter-sweet occasion for the Tigers faithful. It will be a day of celebration and reminiscing as they send out Dustin Martin, arguably the best player to have ever donned their famous jumper, another favourite son in Dylan Grimes, and now Pickett.

All are reminders of their dynasty, which are from a not too distant past yet must feel an eon ago. Then there is the grim reality they will likely finish the day with their first wooden spoon in 17 years, and the prospect of years of pain to come as the club overhauls an ageing list that has inevitably been weathered by the league’s equalisation measures.

That it could be their former coach Damien Hardwick who consigns them to that ignominy will jar many at Tigerland.

There is also uncertainty over the futures of premiership quartet Shai Bolton, Daniel Rioli, Liam Baker and Jack Graham, who have been linked with moves to rival clubs.

Pickett, a two-time premiership player, may not have been a central figure in Richmond’s success, but in many ways he encapsulated the inclusive culture the club developed.

The scenes of the entire team mobbing Pickett after his first goal in the 2019 grand final – the last flag the Tiger Army saw in the flesh at the MCG – have gone down in folklore and will be forever remembered by those who bleed yellow and black.

His journey spanned the jailhouse to football’s penthouse. Released from a West Australian prison in 2013, Pickett starred in the WAFL, rising through the ranks in the ensuing six seasons to become one of the best players in the state league competition.

Overlooked in the 2018 draft despite interest from several clubs, Pickett’s big break came in the mid-season rookie draft the following season. Out of nowhere, he booked a grand final berth after a best-on-ground performance in the VFL decider.

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There were times when Pickett was ready to give up on his dream of playing in the AFL.

“It’s been a good journey... I did not even think I was ever going to get drafted,” he said. “To be drafted in black and yellow is an honour and to wear it is even more special.

“My past and the way I grew up is different to everyone else’s, and it was not easy to get drafted. I got overlooked for six or seven years and 2019 I was about to quit all my dreams.

“I had some people in my corner, and they told me to stick at it … They told me just to give it another year.

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“Five years it felt like 10 years… but the sweat, blood and tears it was a pleasure and doing it with the bunch of guys it was really special.

“I am so proud to be a Richmond man, and I am going to miss the footy.”

The Tigers stood by Pickett, who faces trial in Perth over allegations he took part in the theft of more than $380,000 worth of goods in commercial burglaries across Perth in the summer of 2022-23.

He has pleaded not guilty to 12 charges, including stealing, criminal damage to a property and aggravated burglary.

Coach Adem Yze paid tribute to Pickett.

“With his story and what he’s been able to provide our footy club, he just deserves to be sent off the right way,” Yze said.

“For him to be able to walk out with his kids for one last time will be something that we’ll be really proud of.”

With AAP

Tigers to unveil Dunne as new CEO

Peter Ryan

Richmond will officially announce Shane Dunne as their new CEO next week as the club rebuilds its list after winning three premierships between 2017-2020.

Dunne has worked for the Tigers as general manager of Aligned Leisure and Education for the past nine years and will take over from Brendon Gale, who is the new CEO of Tasmania’s first AFL team.

The decision completes an overhaul of key leadership positions at the club since the middle of last season, with Adem Yze replacing premiership coach Damien Hardwick, John O’Rourke taking over as president from Peggy O’Neal and now Dunne to replace Gale.

Long-serving Gale offsider Simon Matthews was a candidate for the role, having been a key figure at the Tigers through their premiership era. Dunne is no relation to Tigers director and premiership player Emmett Dunne.

Richmond refused to comment, but industry sources, who wanted to remain anonymous due to the process, said Dunne had been advised of the decision.

After a succession of false starts from the early 1980s until Gale began as CEO in 2009, the Tigers have transformed into an on- and off-field force with three flags since then and 100,000 members.

However, 2024 has been decimated by injuries with Yze enduring a horror run in his first season as coach.