From Leader Newspapers
Reported by Paul Amy
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WILLIAMSTOWN believes in Liam Picken and is prepared to put up money that he will make it as an AFL player.
The Seagulls have confirmed they gave $20,000 to their VFL partner the Western Bulldogs to help pay for the cost of having him on their rookie list.
“We think it’s a very good investment in Liam and for our alignment with the Bulldogs,†Willy general manager Brendan Curry said.
“It will be money well spent. We’ve got enormous faith in him. He’s ready to step up.â€
Liam is the son of former Collingwood champion Billy and shared Willy’s best and fairest last year. He was also selected in the VFL team of the year.
While his father was a centre half back, Liam is a midfielder/flanker who can play run-with roles and go forward to kick goals.
Perseverance put him on AFL list.
“He’s been playing in the VFL for four years and he’s developed from a scrawny little country kid into a really good VFL player,†Curry said.
“We think he’s going to be a great success story and come through the system and be a good player for the Bulldogs.’’
Curry said he was sure the Bulldogs were sold on Picken before Williamstown showed them the money.
Willy intend to set aside $20,000 each year to help the Western Bulldogs pay for a rookie selected from a VFL club.
“He doesn’t have to be a Williamstown player. If we see a guy we think warrants being on an AFL list, as we did with Liam Picken, we’ll give him an opportunity,†Curry said.
