Billy Picken
Collingwood and Sydney · “Cotton”
AFL career
240 games46 goals
- Debut
- R5 1974 v CAR4 May 1974
- Most recent
- R18 1986 v MEL2 Aug 1986
Stats
1986 | COL | 5 | 8.2 | 2.2 | 10.4 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
1985 | SYD | 13 | 12.5 | 5.0 | 17.5 | 5.5 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
1984 | SYD | 15 | 10.7 | 4.7 | 15.4 | 4.6 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.1 |
1983 | COL | 20 | 12.6 | 7.3 | 19.9 | 5.8 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 |
1982 | COL | 15 | 12.0 | 4.7 | 16.7 | 5.3 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
1981 | COL | 24 | 12.8 | 3.6 | 16.4 | 4.8 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
1980 | COL | 26 | 14.3 | 3.7 | 17.9 | 5.1 | 3.6 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 |
1979 | COL | 26 | 13.7 | 4.7 | 18.4 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
1978 | COL | 24 | 15.5 | 3.0 | 18.5 | 6.1 | 4.3 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
1977 | COL | 24 | 13.4 | 3.1 | 16.5 | 5.7 | 4.0 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 0.1 |
1976 | COL | 20 | 15.0 | 2.6 | 17.5 | 6.0 | 3.5 | 2.7 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
1975 | COL | 11 | 13.2 | 2.1 | 15.3 | 5.2 | 3.6 | 2.5 | 0.2 | 0.5 |
1974 | COL | 17 | 10.2 | 1.5 | 11.6 | 5.5 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 0.9 |
Bio
Recruited from Macarthur in western Victoria, Billy Picken developed into one of the most spectacular aerialists of his generation. A high-flying centre half-back, Picken was renowned for his ability to take distinctively large marks over packs, combining fearless intercept work with dashing rebound play. He became a cult figure at Victoria Park, playing a vital role in the Magpies' defence during the Tom Hafey era and featuring in five Grand Finals between 1977 and 1981 without securing a premiership. His individual brilliance and consistency were recognised with two Copeland Trophies as the club's best and fairest in 1978 and 1983.
Despite his standing at the club, a contract dispute following his 1983 best and fairest season saw Picken transfer to the Sydney Swans. He played two seasons in the harbour city, providing experience to the relocated club, before orchestrating a return to Collingwood in 1986 for a final season to finish his career where it began. Picken retired as a member of the Collingwood Team of the Century and an inaugural inductee into the club's Hall of Fame. His family legacy continued at the elite level through his son Liam, who became a premiership player with the Western Bulldogs.
Profile
- Born
- 07 June 1956
- Died
- 23 July 2022 (aged 66y 46d)
- Height
- 185 cm
- Weight
- 81 kg
Teams
Honours
- Mark of the Year(2×) 1974, 1976
- Collingwood B&F1983
- 2nd
- 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981
- 3rd
- 1975
- Brownlow Medal
- 3rd
- 1977
Family
- Son:Marcus Picken, Liam Picken
- Nephew:Jonathan Brown
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from Macarthur in western Victoria, Billy Picken developed into one of the most spectacular aerialists of his generation. A high-flying centre half-back, Picken was renowned for his ability to take distinctively large marks over packs, combining fearless intercept work with dashing rebound play. He became a cult figure at Victoria Park, playing a vital role in the Magpies' defence during the Tom Hafey era and featuring in five Grand Finals between 1977 and 1981 without securing a premiership. His individual brilliance and consistency were recognised with two Copeland Trophies as the club's best and fairest in 1978 and 1983.
Despite his standing at the club, a contract dispute following his 1983 best and fairest season saw Picken transfer to the Sydney Swans. He played two seasons in the harbour city, providing experience to the relocated club, before orchestrating a return to Collingwood in 1986 for a final season to finish his career where it began. Picken retired as a member of the Collingwood Team of the Century and an inaugural inductee into the club's Hall of Fame. His family legacy continued at the elite level through his son Liam, who became a premiership player with the Western Bulldogs.