In 1974, Pickett departed the club and signed with Easts at the same time that Jack Gibson was announced as their new coach.
Pickett missed out on playing in the club's 1974 premiership winning team which defeated Canterbury in the grand final.
In 1975, Eastern Suburbs went on to claim the 1975 minor premiership and reach the 1975 NSWRL grand final against St George.
Easts went on to win their second straight premiership defeating St George 38–0 at the Sydney Cricket Ground with Pickett scoring a try.
The match is mainly remembered for the white boots worn by St George player Graeme Langlands.