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Pickett and son create WAFL history

by Brendan Leicester

WA FOOTBALL will bear witness to history in the making when Subiaco veteran Allistair Pickett and his son Alliston line up together on Saturday against South Fremantle at Medibank Stadium.

The remarkable feat was almost never achieved after the four-time premiership star contemplated his retirement at the end of the 2009 season, before having a change of heart.

“This is a dream come true and to be honest it is something that motivated me to play on this year,” he said.

“This day will be something special to both of us, but when we cross the white line he will no longer be my little boy and it is important that we both do our job for the team.”

The two-time Sandover medal winner, who turns 37 in August is the oldest player in the 2010 WAFL competition, while Alliston, aka “Buddy”, is just 17.

After making some inroads in the Colts and Reserves competition this season, Lions coach Chris Waterman said young Alliston was ready for his league debut.

“We flirted with this scenario some weeks back, (and) it was decided to groom Buddy through the Reserves,” he said.

“I understand that that the football pundits will have an opinion on this but the simple fact is we need a player to fulfil this role.

“Our performances in recent weeks have highlighted the need for a crumbing forward and Buddy has shown that he has the attributes to succeed in that role.”

Buddy will make his league debut six-years before his father did, but Waterman remains cautiously optimistic about giving him the opportunity in the big time so early on.

“You are never sure when it’s the right time to bring up a young player,” Waterman said.

“Buddy is unfazed by the challenge of playing league football and as you would expect he is excited about the opportunity to play alongside his father.”