AFL Star Kysaiah Pickett Takes Personal Leave Following Relationship Split
Melbourne Demons forward Kysaiah Pickett has separated from his partner Ardu Cubillo and has temporarily left the club to spend time in Darwin, dealing with personal issues. The 24-year-old AFL superstar travelled to the Northern Territory on Tuesday with the full support of the Melbourne Demons, as subtle indications of the couple's breakup emerged on social media platforms.
Social Media Clues Point to Relationship Breakdown
Pickett and Cubillo, who share a young daughter named Belleny born in April 2024, have unfollowed each other on Instagram. In a telling move, Cubillo has removed all photographs of Pickett from her social media account, while he has retained images of her on his profile. This digital distancing follows Cubillo's relocation back to Darwin to be with family after the relationship ended, a decision that Pickett reportedly supported.
Club Support and Flexibility for Family Commitments
Incoming Melbourne Demons coach Steven King has emphasised the club's commitment to supporting Pickett during this period. King confirmed that Pickett is expected to return for Sunday's season-opening clash against St Kilda at the MCG and suggested that the player may make regular trips to Darwin throughout the AFL season to attend to family matters.
'Kozzie needed to get back for family reasons and I fully support any father at our club to make sure they get to support their family. It was a no-brainer for us,' King stated. 'He will play on Sunday. I want to provide flexibility for our staff and players. Family is equally or more important than a game of footy, and we can make the two co-exist. We will give Kozzie all the time he needs to take care of his family and his daughter. He will be fine. We will work with him throughout the season.'
Background and Career Significance
This personal development comes after Pickett signed a substantial seven-year contract extension with the Melbourne Demons last season, valued at a reported $12 million. Drafted with pick number 12 in 2019, Pickett has established himself as a key player, scoring 201 goals from 126 games and securing a premiership victory in 2021.
His role has become increasingly crucial following the departure of midfielders Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca at the end of 2025, positioning him as a central figure in Melbourne's ongoing team rebuild. The club's supportive stance highlights a growing recognition within professional sports of the importance of balancing athletic commitments with personal and family wellbeing.
