FORMER Richmond captain Trent Cotchin says it was "business as usual" for Marlion Pickett on his return to the club this week, three days after he faced a Perth court.
Pickett was granted bail on Monday after appearing on 12 charges including four counts of aggravated burglary, three counts of stealing and three counts of criminal damage.
The 31-year-old resumed training with Tigers teammates at Punt Rd on Thursday, but won't be selected to play against St Kilda on Saturday night.
"It was good to have Marlion in this morning, out there training," Cotchin said.
"He's such an important part of our footy club and our team.
"What he brings is really special from a leadership point of view, not just with our Indigenous boys but our whole group.
"Knowing the person that Marlion is, he'll stay strong and we'll be right behind him."
On arrival at Punt Rd on Thursday morning, Pickett told reporters he was grateful to Richmond for welcoming him back and was hopeful of playing football again soon.
The utility is expected to be considered for selection for the game against Brisbane in round 16, after the Tigers' mid-season bye.
Richmond officials were made aware of the allegations against Pickett late last week and knew he would be required to speak to police after the Tigers' clash with Fremantle at Optus Stadium last Saturday night.
Cotchin said details were held back from Pickett's teammates before the match, which Richmond won by 15 points.
"I don't think the playing group had any sight of it, which is a credit to the way that the management have managed that process," Cotchin said.
"My response was as it is with everyone; I don't like to make assumptions. That's one of the rules that I go by.
"We love Marlion for who he is and what he brings to our footy club, and we'll be right behind him."
Pickett has played 70 games for Richmond, having famously made his AFL debut in their 2019 premiership triumph, just months after being recruited via the mid-season draft.
The first VFL/AFL player in 67 years to debut in a Grand Final and the first since 1926 to win a flag, he won a second premiership with the Tigers in 2020.
