Richmond CEO Brendan Gale has announced that Marlion Pickett will not be available for selection for the Tigers' Round 14 bout with St Kilda at the MCG this Saturday.
Pickett was arrested in Western Australia last Sunday evening, just a day after taking part in Richmond's Round 13 victory over Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
The 31-year-old has been charged with four counts of aggravated burglary, three counts of stealing, and three counts of criminal damage during commercial burglaries. Pickett has since been released on bail and returned to Melbourne to be with family.
Gale addressed the media at Punt Road on Tuesday to announce Pickett's planned absence this weekend, however, he expects Pickett to be available for selection for Richmond's clash with Brisbane in two weeks.
"No, Marlion won't be available to play this week, it's a decision we made in his best interests, his welfare, and also the club," Gale stated.
"We think it's important for Marlion to be with his family and, having said that, he'll prepare with us, he'll train, he'll be turning up and engaging, we fully expect him to play against Brisbane in two weeks' time.
"He wanted to play ... he's a competitor, we just felt that the right decision was made in his best interests and in the best interests of his family."
Gale stated the decision was made collaboratively, noting that Pickett has an adequate support group around him.
"It was a joint decision that was made, it was a collective decision in the best interests of Marlion and the club in general," Gale continued.
"He's got some wonderful people around him, he's got the love of a good woman and his family, and this football club and it's really important for him to re-engage as soon as possible, to go to work, to train and prepare, there couldn't be a better place for him to be than this football club at the moment.
While Pickett is out of contention for this weekend, Gale maintained that the Tigers are assuming his innocence until proven otherwise.
"These are allegations, we're going to operate under the assumption that he's innocent," Gale said.
After Richmond's Round 14 bout with St Kilda this Saturday, it will undergo its bye before facing the Lions at The Gabba in Round 16.