Australian rules footballer William Rober Picken was a player for the Collingwood Football Club and the Sydney Swans in the 70s and the 80s.
In those days, the league was called the Victorian Football League, mainly played in the Australian State of Victoria, but it changed its name to the Australian Football League in 1990 due to the game’s rising prominence. It was because of the performance of players like Picken during the 70s and the 80s that the league became as popular as it did.
Picken had a decade-long career with numerous highlights, such as winning the Copeland Trophy in 1978 and 1983, being a part of the Collingwood Team of the Century, and winning the Third Brownlow Medal in 1977. He is one of the best defenders of his era and is remembered for his unique kicking style.
Besides football, Picken also played cricket for the Collingwood Cricket Club. Sadly, the sports icon passed away on 23 July 2022, at 66.
Meet AFL’s Billy Picken’s Wife, Julie Picken: Family And Children
Billy Picken was married to Julie Picken, and they had two children together: Liam and Marcus Picken.
Both Liam and Marcus followed in their father’s footsteps and grew up to be football players. Liam, born on 1 August 1986, played for the Western Bulldogs from 2009 to 2017; Marcus, born on 9 October 1979, played for the Brisbane Lions from 1998 to 2001 and the Western Bulldogs for one season from 2002 to 2003.
Football seems to run not only in the immediate family but the extended one. Billy Picken’s nephew, Jonathan Brown, is also a former football player and was the former captain of the Brisbane Lions. Brown played for the team from 2000 to 2014.
Marcus’ career with the Australian Football League was cut short due to a stress fracture in his foot which sadly cost him a chance at a premiership. His younger brother Liam, however, had a more fruitful career and achieved numerous highlights, such as winning the Gerry Callahan Medal in 2008 and being named the Pre-season premiership player in 2010, the Western Bulldogs leading goalkicker in 2017, and the AFL premiership player in 2016.
The younger Picken is married to blogger and social commentator Annie Nolan and has three children with her. Their children are a son, Malachy, born in 2011, and twin daughters Delphi and Cheska, born in 2013.
How Did Billy Picken Die?
The cause of Billy Picken’s death has not been revealed to the mourning public.
Following the news of his passing, social media was in an uproar as fans of the game made their grief visible all over Twitter. Although his time in the spotlight was decades past, Picken, as one of the game’s first icons, had a lot of goodwill and a solid legacy for his fans to mourn.
The football player’s former team and various Australian Football outlets lauded the player and sang well-deserved praises for the luminous star. In his decade-long career, Picken had carved a solid but unforgettable legacy that people had no trouble reminiscing among.
Fans shared pictures and old news articles of the player and listed the man’s formidable achievements to reminisce about him and celebrate his life rather than mourn his death. Older fans shared their memories of seeing him play, and younger fans shared when they first discovered the player.
Sports lost a bright star, but the light he had left behind still warms the fans’ hearts.
Billy Picken’s Career
Billy Picken’s career spanned from 1974 to 1985 and achieved much acclaim.
Picken began his career when he arrived at Collingwood Club in 1974 as a forward but quickly developed into the position of the center-half back. His persistence and dedication showed even though he played in four losing grand finals.
Picken’s dedication brought him enough goodwill that despite the four losses, he was still recognized for his contributions and named to the Collingwood Team of the Century. Picken’s defending had a lot to do with his unique playing style, as he was known to dash with the ball and turn defense into an attack in an instant.
He is also remembered for his unique kicking style, which was awkward and lacked direction and penetration but got the job done. He shocked the football world when he controversially moved to the Sydney Swans in 1984 but could only play a year due to all his injuries.
Another notch in his legacy is that he was not only a cricket player but also the first first-grade cricketer to be suspended by the Cricket Association for striking an opponent during a match.