The agent to the stars wasn't in court on Friday, as it was confirmed he was being countersued by former business partner Jason Sourasis for damages of more than $2.5 million.
Moves have been made in court to keep confidential the contractual details of some of the game's biggest stars, including Lance Franklin, Gary Ablett and Swans coach John Longmire, during what could be lengthy proceedings.
The case has been adjourned for a directions hearing on December 5, with a Supreme Court trial likely in the new year.
Pickering has taken the bulk of his clients from Strategic Management Australia AFL with him to his new business, Precision Sports and Entertainment Group.
Among the claims in a writ lodged with the Supreme Court, Strategic says Pickering's offsider James Pitcher "invoiced Adidas for commissions owed to SMAFL as a result of the Franklin deal".
In another example Strategic says Pitcher invoiced AFL Queensland for "services" related to Ablett.
Pickering has engineered some of the biggest moves in AFL history including Franklin's switch to the Sydney Swans, Ablett's move to the Gold Coast and Tom Boyd's recent departure from Greater Western Sydney to the Western Bulldogs.
The former Geelong and North Melbourne player split from Strategic and his partnership with Sourasis in May and launched legal action last month.
Lawyers for Pickering asked the court to consider appointing a liquidator to investigate Strategic's affairs and to investigate its financial statements.
Pickering alleged that Sourasis had disclosed secret player endorsement deals to others and had made copies of confidential player files.
