Kozzy Pickett flies to Darwin for personal matter ahead of Dees’ season opener

Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett has flown to Darwin to attend a personal matter just days out from Steven King’s first game as coach.

But Melbourne is confident Pickett will be available for Sunday’s season-opening clash against St Kilda at the MCG.

Pickett went to Darwin on Tuesday with the club’s blessing to be with partner Ardu Cubillo, who lives in the North Territory. The couple have split up but have a one-year old child together.

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Pickett, who’s already missed multiple training sessions, will still train while he’s in Darwin with a program given to him by the club.

The Demons have full support of their superstar player and understand the situation.

The 24-year old is expected to be back in Melbourne for the club’s main training session on Friday. The Dees also have a captain’s run on Saturday.

King is due to speak to the media at 9.30am.

Pickett is set to play a key role under the new Melbourne coach after a career-best 2025 season where he kicked 40 goals and claimed his first All-Australian blazer.

He signed a mammoth seven-year contract extension last June that ties him to the Demons until 2034.

“He has some family issues, separation from his partner, they’ve also got a little girl,” Melbourne great Garry Lyon said on SEN.

“The family dynamic is super important. I’m told that ‘Kozzy’ is very supportive of his partner’s move back to Darwin and it’s important for her to be around family at this time.

“The club is supporting Kozzie to ensure he can still be connected to the family while still getting the job done from a footy club point of view.

“These are difficult times when there’s families and partnerships and breakups. But that’s why Kozzie won’t be at training (today).”

MORE TO COME.