JUST a boy from Quairading.

That’s how Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett still sees himself, even after signing the longest contract deal in AFL history.

Pickett put pen to paper on a seven-year contract extension on Thursday, and with two years still remaining on his current deal, he’ll now be playing in the red and blue until at least the end of 2034.

“It’s surreal. It hasn’t really sunk in that I'll be in Melbourne for the next nine years,” Pickett told Melbourne Media.

It's crazy to think that someone from Quairading, with not much as a little kid growing up, will be in the AFL for so long.”

While Pickett’s future had been up for contention outside the four walls of the club, for the 24-year-old, it came down to the support and connection within the red and blue.

Since arriving at the Dees in 2018, Melbourne had become Pickett’s home away from home.

“I think it's just the club in general; they've looked after me for so long and they've made me feel at home,” Pickett said.

“They’ve made me feel so comfortable here, they’ve looked after my little one and Ardu (Pickett’s partner) as well.

“Even when my family comes across, they always look after them and always make them feel comfortable.

“They’ve done a lot for myself and my family.”

07:41

Faith in the future | Pickett’s long-term deal

Kozzy Pickett has put pen to paper and committed his future. In this exclusive interview, he opens up about what re-signing means to him, the journey so far, and his goals for the seasons ahead.

The deal arrives in the wake of some career-best Pickett performances, with more midfield time providing a launching pad for career highs in disposals, clearances and goals.

Across the 13 games of the 2025 season so far, Pickett has averaged a career-high 19 disposals, four clearances and has kicked a total of 21 goals.

“I think it just comes back to my preparation and belief,” Pickett said of his career-best form.

“I believe this group can go a long way. I put a lot of faith in the guys around me, the coaching staff. They’ve got trust in me.

They set goals for me that they wanted me to do, and I've been able to take that next step and come into this season a lot more prepared.”

Having signed on until 2034, his faith in the future of the club can’t be argued.

Pickett knows that the current stars of the red and blue are helping shape the next generation of stars. 

“I feel like we're a pretty tight bunch, we're all competitors, we all love to win,” Pickett said.

“We feel like the next players coming up, all the boys younger than me, they’re all going to be stars.

“We've already got stars in our team now, like Max [Gawn] and [Petracca], all the older boys. Then the next crop of boys coming through, they're all going to take this club to the next big thing.”

01:32

Pickett Highlights | Kozzy Signs On

Take a look at the best of Kozzy Pickett as he puts pen to paper until 2034.

Pickett might be the most talked about player in the AFL at the moment, but he’s not letting it get to him.

For the boy from humble beginnings, he still brings his purpose back to inspiring the kids that idolise him, just like his uncle Byron Pickett did for him.

“When I was a little kid, we didn't get many AFL players to Quairading, but I've always had my uncle Byron to look up to,” Pickett said.

“I think just being around him…I've always had the dream to play AFL, so I just hope that I can inspire others by going back to Alice Springs and even back home to Quairading.

“I hope I can inspire kids to make it to the AFL. I come from nothing, so it would be really good if I could help even two or three kids get to the AFL.”