KYSAIAH Pickett has become one of the most exciting talents of the AFL.
First landing in the league during the 2019 National Draft, Pickett is a Yamatji, Noongar and Ngarrindjeri man, who proudly represents his culture on the AFL’s stage.
As the league continues to celebrate Sir Doug Nicholls Round, we’re taking a walk down memory lane and re-visiting the stories of Pickett’s family and culture.
In 2023, the club joined Pickett and his father in visiting Raukkan, the town where his father’s family are from.
Raukkan sits on the land of Ngarrindjeri Peoples and is two hours southeast of Adelaide.
In a special moment from the visit, Uncle Clyde takes the group through the history of Raukkan and provides powerful words on the importance of connecting to culture.
“Raukkan means ancient meeting place so we’re trying to become more steeped in our cultural roots,” Clyde said.
“That makes us happier with life, because life is fast, it’s not about just you.
“It’s about your mob, it’s about culture, your land, your language. You get that right, you’re good.”
In 2024, Pickett then travelled to Quaraiding, a town where his mother’s family lives and where he spent much of his childhood.
Quairading sits on the lands of Ballardong Noongar Peoples and is two hours east of Perth.
Speaking on the importance of Quairading, Pickett said it was a place that held a special place in his heart.
“I grew up there, all my family live there, my mom's side of the family, my mom, my nanna,” Kysaiah said.
“I learned how to play footy there actually and basically did all my primary schooling there before I moved over to Adelaide.
“That's probably where most of my favourite memories are.”
Throughout the entirety of the day spent in Quairading, it was clear the impact Nanna had on the community as a whole, but in particular on Pickett and his family.
“She's taught me basically everything I know and moulded me into the person I am today,” Kysaiah said.
“I'm pretty proud that I still get to spend a lot of time with her, and just being with her makes me very happy.
“I love spending time with her.”
