BP: The move has been good. The team is playing pretty good footy at the moment and I really don't mind Melbourne. Growing up as a kid, I never thought I'd come to Melbourne to live, but when I came over to North Melbourne, I didn't mind it. So I love the place.
How did it actually come about that you came to join Melbourne?
BP: I had a chat to my parents about it and they had their opinions and I had mine, but we thought of it as another challenge at another club. It's just the way we looked at it. At the time that we were negotiating … my manager did all of the talking with both clubs and I was in Western Australia at the time on my break, so I just left it up to my agent and said: 'Whatever you come up with, I'm pretty happy to go with it'."
How did you feel when Melbourne wanted to strike a deal?
BP: When I heard about Melbourne (being interested), I was keen as mustard to get across and I spoke to the coach (Neale Daniher) while I was in Western Australia and he was pretty keen on getting me across as well, so it all worked out alright.
How did you handle the comments made by your former coach Mark Williams, who said you were "almost unemployable" because of your physical style of play, yet fewer than 12 months earlier you were best-on-ground in the Grand Final?
BP: I got a call from 'Choco' during the pre-season and we had a good chat and he respects me and my family and my kids as well. During that year, I went around to his house for dinner a couple of times with the kids and we both didn't want what happened to have happened, but that's just the way footy is. He gave me a call and said: 'I hope everything goes well and he's really sorry it didn't work out'.
Is there any animosity between the two of you now?
BP: No, everything is all good and I think all the respect is still there.
You've quickly become a favourite at Melbourne. Do you think the club has been the best fit for you?
BP: I actually love it here. Not only the 'brothers', but the rest of the boys are really energetic. Some of the boys have said: 'It's good having you on the team and playing with you rather than against you'.
Do you think you're playing the best football of your career at the moment?
BP: I reckon I'm really going out there and having a pretty hard crack at it and I haven't played footy this consistently for a long while, so I'd like to think I'm playing good footy, but hopefully I can improve as well.
Do you put that down to being content and happy here?
BP: I think just being around the club and the boys make it a lot easier.
How is your relationship with the coach (Daniher), because he loves talking you up at media conferences?
BP: I get on real well. I think he's like that with all of the boys here and he's probably a little bit different to all of the 'brothers'. I think he likes us a little bit more which is good for us (Pickett said with a smile). I've always had good relationships with my coaches - Denis (Pagan) and 'Choco' as well. I think all of the coaches are the same and I reckon they've got a soft spot there for us 'brothers'.
Can you talk about how your great, great grandmother, Clara George, who was an inspiration to you? You mentioned her when you joined Melbourne.
BP: She has always been an inspiration, considering she lived to 107 (years old). I think she was one of the oldest Aboriginals to ever live. We went across there a few years ago and I took my two oldest girls to see her and my Mum's people for Christmas. They got to see her at the old folks home at a place called Meekatharra (north-east of Perth). The youngest daughter at the time didn't want to go near her, because she was old, had white hair and was pretty dark, but the oldest one wasn't afraid or too shy to chat to anyone, so it was good to get across and see her and it was good for the little ones. It was an awesome feeling and it just brings family closer and she's obviously a role model.
Is she your greatest role model or who are your others?
BP: Along with uncles, aunties, grandmothers, grandfathers - I think she'd be up there in the top three in my biggest role models. She was a terrific example. She's probably one of my biggest influences.
How does your family life help your football?
BP: I think families play a big part in everyone's life - not only Aboriginals, but other Australians. I think anyone playing sport, families are big motivations.
When you eventually retire will you stay in Melbourne?
BP: I'm not sure yet. I'm not looking that far yet. Hopefully it is far. I have no idea. I haven't seen a lot of 'rellies' (relatives) back in WA, so I'll probably go back there and cruise around Perth and Geraldton and do a traveling trip.
How many more years would you like to play for?
BP: I don't know. Depending on how the body pulls up, I'd really cherish it if I can go for another four or five years, but like all footy players, the body and how many injuries you have come into it, so the next couple of years are very important, so that's probably another challenge for me.
Do you think playing at Melbourne can actually prolong your career?
BP: I'd like to think I can play more footy at Melbourne and I probably wouldn't want to go anywhere else from here. I'll stay here for as long as I can at this club.
What is the greatest difference you've noticed between the three clubs - Kangaroos, Port Adelaide and Melbourne?
BP: I think the greatest difference between the three clubs is probably Port Adelaide's facilities - that's a big difference, but footy clubs are all the same. You've got your good blokes and rarely your bad blokes. You've got your jokers and some of the coaches joke around every now and then and that's pretty much it.
Do you think that when you eventually finish that you will be best remembered as a big-game player?
BP: I think so. I'd like to be known as a big-game player. I've had a little bit of luck over my career like getting into the side at North Melbourne when they were in their prime in the '90s - I was probably lucky to be breaking in the side with Wayne Carey, Anthony Stevens and Glenn Archer … and with Port Adelaide as well, in their premiership year.
Are you in favour of playing in representation sides such as State-of-Origin or Indigenous All-Star teams?
BP: Definitely. In 2003, myself and Shaun (Burgoyne) weren't allowed to play in it. The club didn't want us to. I've played in two State-of-Origin matches for South Australia and I reckon it's awesome and I'm pretty sure all of the boys would love to play for their own state and the Aboriginal All-Stars is right up there as well. I've been selected for Australia, but I haven't played yet, so I think if I get another crack at it in the next couple of years, I'll put the boots on.
You've achieved many accolades in the AFL, but aside from another premiership, what are you aiming for now?
BP: To play 200 games. I'm 15-odd from it, so that's a small goal, to play 200 games. Everyone wants to play in premierships and that's right up there.
