Daniel Merrett

[Lady Lawrence]

over to you - Homer Jnr & Grimreepah

[Grimreepah]

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/2010/merrettza4.jpg

Lion's bio (http://lions.com.au/default.asp?pg=players&spg=playerprofile&personid=125281)
2002 AFL draft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_AFL_Draft)
footwire stats (http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pp-brisbane-lions--daniel-merrett)
prostats (http://www.pro-stats.com.au/psw/web/player_profile?pid=2003007)
final siren stats (http://www.finalsiren.com/PlayerStats.asp?PlayerID=1537)
afl tables stats (http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/players/D/Daniel_Merrett.html)

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/2739/merrettvw4.jpg

Merrett steps up down back (http://lions.com.au/default.asp?pg=players&spg=playerprofile)

http://tinypic.com/2yxotpz.jpg

Merrett steps up down back
10:42:29 PM Sat 2 September, 2006
Simon White
Exclusive to lions.com.au

Strange as he realises it sounds, Brisbane Lions youngster Daniel Merrett says he feels less pressure playing on the likes of Nick Riewoldt and Barry Hall than he did previously when lining up as a key forward.

As a forward, Merrett was something of a conundrum - his raw potential was there for all to see but the marks didn't always stick and the goals did not always arrive.

But as a defender he has been a revelation recently, neutralising Sydney powerhouse Hall last week and keeping Riewoldt quiet at the Gabba in the loss to St Kilda on Saturday night.

Statistics show Riewoldt had 17 possessions, but he rarely got to the football without Merrett in close attendance and did not make any real impact in contested marking situations.

"Before games, I thought there was a bit more pressure on me to perform (as a forward). It sounds a bit weird but I don't feel as much pressure in defence," Merrett explained.

"I know I've got a task to do down back - stop my man getting the ball. I try and keep things pretty simple. I think I've started to enjoy my footy, started to believe in myself a bit more and have a bit more confidence and back myself in a bit."

Not that Merrett believes he has made the grade as a top-line defender just yet. He realises he has much to learn - his late arrival to football from a touch rugby and volleyball background is well-known - and he plans on picking up a few tricks of the trade from Riewoldt and company, perhaps with a view to one day putting them to use in a return to the forward line.

"It's a major learning experience," he said.

"Playing on those guys, hopefully down the line I can use that for my forward line work as well. It's another step for me and I just keep learning."

Merrett's progress has not gone unnoticed by coach Leigh Matthews, who floated the idea of playing the 21-year-old in the defensive half of the ground several weeks back as the Lions tinkered with their line-up in the wake of champion centre-half-back Justin Leppitsch's retirement.

"Daniel Merrett has had a couple of good weeks as a big defender, so that is a really optimistic sign," Matthews told media after the St Kilda clash.

"He's relishing it and he's showing really good signs in a spot where we needed someone to come up - someone who is big and quick and has a chance of staying with the big fellas and then actually being strong in the contest when you do."

Having missed much of the 2004 season with glandular fever, Merrett's last two pre-seasons have had to be carefully monitored, let he become worn down and again fall ill.

He is now confident those worries are behind him and he looks forward to using the summer to build up his aerobic fitness, so that he can chase elite opposing forwards all over the ground in 2007.

"A major thing is my fitness. I need to get it up if I am going to be playing down there on a regular basis," Merrett admitted.

"It will be a big pre-season and I'll try and get some run in the legs so that I can play on those guys and stay with them when they get right up field. (In previous years) I tended to get sick when I got worn down and the body was under stress. But it's been a couple of years now and I think if I do all the right things off the field and look after myself, then I can have a big pre-season."

Article (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20961097-10389,00.html)

Matthews admitted he was greatly encouraged by two late-season performances from Merrett.
"Daniel played on Barry Hall and then Nick Riewoldt and in a well beaten side he did a very good job. As a defender they don't get any tougher than those two," Matthews said.
"He has the weight and size to match the big forwards and has remarkable speed off the mark for a player of his size. He's not far off the fastest players in the club over 20 metres."
Merrett is seen to be in the mould of the departed Michael but he has a long way to go to become one of the best fullbacks in the competition.

[Grimreepah]

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/5300/merrett1cm5.jpghttp://img99.imageshack.us/img99/2836/merrett2ck0.jpghttp://img221.imageshack.us/img221/6308/danielmerrettwz2.jpg

[Sherminator.]

Looks like Leppa wants to punch Strawb ^

[Ruse]

Who wouldn't. :D

[Quigley]

I had been wondering if Merrett might have had a run at CHB like the end of last year given his athletic ability. Leigh however pretty much confirmed in the interview posted on the Lions main board that he is our new FB. Rates him as likely to be a "very, very good fullback". Big wrap for Strawb I hope he lives up to it. He was the guy I was expecting big things from last year up forward and he never delivered. Hopefully he doesn't do the same down back this year.

[xplo]

I had been wondering if Merrett might have had a run at CHB like the end of last year given his athletic ability. Leigh however pretty much confirmed in the interview posted on the Lions main board that he is our new FB. Rates him as likely to be a "very, very good fullback". Big wrap for Strawb I hope he lives up to it. He was the guy I was expecting big things from last year up forward and he never delivered. Hopefully he doesn't do the same down back this year.

Longer term, perhaps next year.

Frankly, I think we're putting out fires in various positions, so is we could put a line through FB for a while I think we're doing ok.

Strawb is a blend of brittle confidence and phenomenal athlete. If you keep giving him little, easy to understand tasks (body contact, punch from behind) his body will usually to the job without his head having to much to think about.

Move him up the ground and he's got blokes running left and right and back and forward. Much more likely to test his nerve than his body.

[TheBrownDog]

Longer term, perhaps next year.

Frankly, I think we're putting out fires in various positions, so is we could put a line through FB for a while I think we're doing ok.

Strawb is a blend of brittle confidence and phenomenal athlete. If you keep giving him little, easy to understand tasks (body contact, punch from behind) his body will usually to the job without his head having to much to think about.

Move him up the ground and he's got blokes running left and right and back and forward. Much more likely to test his nerve than his body.

Spot on.

[danielcanberra]

So Strawb has graduated out of the project player list?

[TheBrownDog]

http://i3.tinypic.com/2edoxnm.jpg

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

A gun. All because he is from the Goldy ;)

[TheBrownDog]

Gold Coast has been good to us... Daniel Merrett, Clark Keating... lets hope Kiel and Tippett continue the trend.

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

Gold Coast has been good to us... Daniel Merrett, Clark Keating... lets hope Kiel and Tippett continue the trend.

Stop mentioning Kiel...do you want to get me excited? :D

[danielcanberra]

http://lions.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5085/Default.aspx?newsId=40749

Dan the man relishes the challenge

By Simon White, for Brisbane Lions Football Club

News

LIFE as an AFL player doesn't get any easier week-to-week for Daniel Merrett, but the young Brisbane Lions full-back says he wouldn't have it any other way.

Having just kept St Kilda's ace forward Fraser Gehrig goalless and to only six possessions in Easter Thursday's 52-point Lions victory, Merrett was turning this thoughts to a renewal of acquaintances with Barry Hall and the Swans on Sunday week.

And it was with eager anticipation, rather than anxiousness, that he regarded the awaiting challenge.

"I actually look forward to the challenge every week and I'm thriving on it," Merrett explained.

"I get excited to know I'm taking the opposition's best forward and I'm really pumped on game days to do it.

"It's no good doubting yourself - you have to back yourself."

Merrett already has one personal victory to his credit over Hall, having outpointed the Sydney spearhead in Round 21 of last year. That match represented something of a watershed moment for the 22-year-old, who was a latecomer to AFL and had previously battled to nail down a spot in the Lions forward line, where he admitted to feeling some pressure.

"It was a little bit frustrating when I was playing up forward and you looked at Bradshaw and Brown - you were never going to knock those guys out of their positions because they are guns," Merrett said.

"It was a little bit frustrating being in and out of the team so it is satisfying to find a niche and have a role and play every week. The move down back was firstly done in reserves and I kind of felt like a duck to water - it's been great."

Last year Mal Michael was around to help out with some on-field tuition and in 2007 Merrett has the know-how of Justin Leppitsch to call upon, with the former All-Australian defender joining the Lions coaching staff.

Merrett was also quick to pay tribute to the club's sprint program and the Lions' midfielders and forwards, who he said made his job easier by applying pressure up the ground.

"I was always quickish but I think since getting to the club and doing the sprint work with a guy named Cliff Mallet, I've improved," he said.

"Getting my speed right up there has meant I can close those extra couple of metres when otherwise I might be out of the contest.

"Probably half the reason why the defence is doing so well has been the pressure the forwards and midfield are putting on the opposition. It's not coming down lace-out and they are under pressure when they are kicking it in. So 'ups' to the midfield and forwards because otherwise our job would be a lot harder."

That said, Merrett realises that there will come a match when an opponent gets the better of him. All he can do, he says, is make sure that forward is made to earn it.

"Leppa has talked to me about that. The day will happen when I get eight kicked on me," Merrett said.

"But as long as I'm trying and not giving up and I'm making them work for marks, that's the most important thing. It's like the NAB Cup Final against Brendan Fevola - he took some good grabs but I felt I made him earn his marks and that's all I can do."

[TheBrownDog]

Sounds like he is full of confidence. Great to see.

[Ruse]

he's gonna be all-australian in his new role in the very near future. just has everything and will only get better.

[Quigley]

Against St Kilda Merrett showed what he is capable at fullback. He is a big powerful man who is very quick for his size. He is not intimidated, does not get rattled by cheap shots or niggle and is very disciplined. As a consequence he is an incredibly hard match up for power forwards like Gehrig.

As with Michael I am not sure that Dan will ever get the number of stats to push him into an AA side but at the moment he looks like he has all the tools to be a premier fullback. That being said this week against the Saints he managed to pick up 16 possessions and 14 marks which are about as good a numbers as a fullback is likely to get. I must admit though most of these were in the last quarter whilst the Saints were in full flood to try and minimise the damage and the backs from Brisbane were padding out their own stats.

I want to start a count on goals kicked against Merret this year:

Week 1 - 0 goals kicked by his opponent.
Week 2 - 0 goals kicked by his opponent.

For me you can't ask much more of your fullback than that.

[Grimreepah]

I want to start a count on goals kicked against Merret this year:

Week 1 - 0 goals kicked by his opponent.
Week 2 - 0 goals kicked by his opponent.

Yep, good call. As far as his year goes, it is the only stat I'm really interested in.

[Grimreepah]

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/3880/merrettzx0.jpg

[TheBrownDog]

http://i15.tinypic.com/2d6mick.jpg

Great shot.

[BigCat2]

Great shot.

Any chance for the Strawb T shirt?

[TheBrownDog]

Any chance for the Strawb T shirt?

Not hi-res enough I feel.

We may have to just get Daniel to strike that famous pose and snap a shot.

[The Flying Belgian]

Not hi-res enough I feel.

We may have to just get Daniel to strike that famous pose and snap a shot.

Perhaps someone we both know of who takes a lot of pictures at training may be able to assist?

[Quigley]

Goals scored on Strawb update:

Week 1 - 0
Week 2 - 0
Week 3 - 3

I am giving the 4th goal to Mills. Given that two of the goals were gifted by the umps Merrett didn't do too bad this week although there is no getting around the fact that Hall came back ahead.

[irel]

Check out the date on this article. Today is 27th. It must be QLD daylight saving time. 24 hours ahead :D

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/sport/merrett-backing-himself/2007/04/27/1177459915226.html

Merrett relishes 'Mission Impossible'
Phil Lutton | April 28, 2007

When Leigh Matthews hands out his weekly assignments to the Brisbane Lions, Daniel Merrett is resigned to the fact his could well read 'Mission Impossible'.

The towering defender has the task of powering down some of AFL's biggest names week-in, week-out, already facing Barry Hall and Lance Franklin this season and likely to find himself shadowing Blues forward Brendan Fevola at the Telstra Dome on Saturday night.

But Merrett, all 196cm of him, says despite his lack of experience in senior footy, a growing feeling of self-belief means he's not a man to be intimidated - no matter whom he butts heads with.

"I think a lot of the time you can't go into the game doubting yourself. I think each week I'll back myself to put the pressure on and beat them in the contest," Merrett said.

"I know weeks are going to happen when it's not always going to go my way, and all I have to do is compete hard, make them earn their mark and make them beat me in the contest."

With only 19 games at the top level, Merrett has become a revelation at the back for the Lions and his burly physique and surprising speed makes him one of Leigh Matthews' most indispensable players.

Gold Coaster Merrett, 22, has been the rock on which Brisbane's impressive and youthful back six has been built, setting a defensive benchmark for the rest of the team.

"I think the reason why it gets brought up a lot is because we're such a young group. There wasn't much expectation put on us but it's surprised a few people that we're doing well down there," he said.

"I think we're all young and really enthusiastic and work well together and we all want to achieve.

"I think the communication, the camaraderie - we're all young and just the will to beat our opponents, it's very strong."

Merrett played almost of his junior football in the forward line or ruck and only shifted to the back last season in the reserves - a move he says was the best he ever made.

"When I was playing up forward I had guys like Daniel Bradshaw and Jonathan Brown in the positions I wanted to play in, and I was never going to knock them out of position. Since I moved down back I really feel like I belong.

"There's a spot there in the team where they kind of depend on me to beat my opponent each week so the team can succeed."

Merrett's presence at the back is deja vu for Lions fans who became accustomed to the presence of another flame-haired defender, Justin Leppitsch, now Brisbane's assistant coach.


Merrett said Leppitsch's tutelage had taken his game to new levels and enabled him to step up in the absence of defensive veteran Mal Michael, who controversially retired last season only to sign with Essendon.

"When I was playing down there with Mal last year, I felt like I needed someone down there to get me through a couple of seasons.

"But when Mal moved on I was really happy to hear that Lepper was on board and he's helped the whole defensive group massively."

In spite of his imposing frame, Merrett is one of the Lions quickest players over 20m and that pace gives him the ability to reel in opposing forwards on the lead.

"It's probably one of the main reasons why I can keep up with a full forward. He might slip in with a push and get an early lead on me, but because of my pace I might be able to catch up," he said.

"I was quickish but not lightning fast. Ever since I got to the club my first year was OK. It's only been in the last couple of years I've started to pick my speed up to be one of the better guys over 20m at the club."

Merrett says he thrives on the physical push-and-shove in the trenches, but keeps his thoughts to himself, even when opposing forwards start throwing some verbals in his direction.

"I'm not much of a talker myself. I tend to find if I start to talk things up it comes back to bite me in the arse.

"But if someone gets physical, I don't mind the physical part of it. I'm all for it. You've just got to adapt to the situation."

[xplo]

They can't seem to get it through their head that he played on Roughead, not Franklin... And wouldn't you mention holding Gehrig goalless in round 2 ???


With only 19 games at the top level, Merrett has become a revelation at the back for the Lions and his burly physique and surprising speed makes him one of Leigh Matthews' most indispensable players.

He's played 28 games 'at the top level'.

Check your facts before you hit 'SUBMIT', Phil. It's not hard.

[Grimreepah]

Fev made the most of his opportunities early, but Big Red stuck with him, and in the end Fev was getting very frustrated.

[Ceebee]

Fev made the most of his opportunities early, but Big Red stuck with him, and in the end Fev was getting very frustrated.
He is playing the old fashioned Fullback role to perfection isn't he ? He is doing a great job.

[xplo]

Fev made the most of his opportunities early, but Big Red stuck with him, and in the end Fev was getting very frustrated.

A couple of times early he went at the ball with both hands -- like he was half thinking about marking it -- flopped his hands up at the ball and Fev sprawled through the middle plucking the ball. After 3/4 time he seemed to go back to going 100% at the ball with a big fist and Fev had much less luck extracting it.

Later on, I got down to the rooms and watched Leigh talking to him -- couldn't hear what he was saying, but from the body actions looked very much like a quick lesson on the difference between wafting your fingers at it, and going hard at it with one big hammer.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/230/477529119_258575eb09.jpg

[TheBrownDog]

As of today, I am Daniel Merrett's sponsor for 07.

[scott522]

that's so cool

[Grimreepah]

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/9493/merrettdp6.jpg

[danielcanberra]

As of today, I am Daniel Merrett's sponsor for 07.

Good on you! He might do the Spaz pose for your t-shirts now :D

[LuckyLuke]

Well he'd better hurry up. There's not much time till round 8.

[danielcanberra]

Later on, I got down to the rooms and watched Leigh talking to him -- couldn't hear what he was saying, but from the body actions looked very much like a quick lesson on the difference between wafting your fingers at it, and going hard at it with one big hammer.


Was at the rooms after you, it seems. And Leigh was still talking to him.
http://i13.tinypic.com/6c4lv0z.jpg

[xplo]

Was at the rooms after you, it seems. And Leigh was still talking to him.
http://i13.tinypic.com/6c4lv0z.jpg

Looks like exactly the chat I was talking about, Dan. I'd put the camera away by that stage, but that's the spot they were standing.

[Grimreepah]

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/5205/merrettjx1.jpg

The game against Freo was the first time I have seen where Merrett looked to be throwing his weight around. Maybe it's a sign that he's starting to feel confident in his ability. Maybe Leigh wants him to try and initimidate the opposition.

[TheBrownDog]

http://i13.tinypic.com/67pp3lt.jpg

The game against Freo was the first time I have seen where Merrett looked to be throwing his weight around. Maybe it's a sign that he's starting to feel confident in his ability. Maybe Leigh wants him to try and initimidate the opposition.

Red heads are always basketcases deep down. ;)

[Quigley]

Red heads are always basketcases deep down. ;)
TBD its not that far down believe me. Red haired brother and sister and I would have to say it is pretty much there for all to see.

[Ceebee]

It's really exciting watching his progress each week isn't it?The backline is really starting to gell together beautifully and he seems to be growing in confidence all the time.:)

[Raav]

I was ready to give up on him but he has blossomed in the backline.
Needs to start hurting people(I don't mean illegally just bump, tackle and use his body as a battering ram). Physically and with the ball.

[Quigley]

I think Merrett is one of the cleanest fullbacks going around. He doesn't hold much, doesn't accidentally punch guys in the back of the head going for spoils and generally plays within the rules.

As far as hurting guys with the other half of his game I think the coaching staff are taking things slowly there. The number 1 priority has been to get a fullback who can hold his own defensively. That being said he is picking his spots more and more to move up the ground and I think in this aspect is at least as good as Mal when he came to the Lions.

I for one have been extremely happy with the job that Strawb has done so far this year.

[maroon and blue]

Daniel is going to hold down full back for a long time. Improving every game.

[Slattery_20]

Daniel is going to hold down full back for a long time. Improving every game.

Quoted for posterity
If he improved to yesterday's standard, he must have been pretty average previously

[xplo]

Quoted for posterity
If he improved to yesterday's standard, he must have been pretty average previously


Considering Essendon had getting up towards twice the scoring shots, 4 goals is hardly an exceptional effort for a Coleman medallist on a rookie fullback -- including one gifted from a 50M penalty. If he was average, Lloyd wasn't good enough to truly put him to the sword.

[Slattery_20]

Considering Essendon had getting up towards twice the scoring shots, 4 goals is hardly an exceptional effort for a Coleman medallist on a rookie fullback -- including one gifted from a 50M penalty. If he was average, Lloyd wasn't good enough to truly put him to the sword.

Lloyd captained the side that thumped him by 63 points, and had 4 goals and (I'd say) a few assists at least. And he can't run properly. Who's not good enough?

Not saying he's a hack, but he had a ****en dog of a game by anyone's standards.

[Snuka]

Lloyd captained the side that thumped him by 63 points, and had 4 goals and (I'd say) a few assists at least. And he can't run properly. Who's not good enough?

Not saying he's a hack, but he had a ****en dog of a game by anyone's standards.

Fair enough that he had a bad game & ohe is an unco...but i'd suggest you watch the rest of the games his played this year and then comment. You came on this thread and suggested he was rubbish previously, but you obviously know little about him and can I assume that you watched him for the 1st time this year on Saturday. He was a guy who had only played aussie rules for a few years and failed when put into the forward line. He was pushed to fullback towards the end of last year and has improved immensely and been great this year after only about 12 or 13 games in that position.

Don't make somebody bring out the 'goals against' stats when compared to Micheal this year.

[konstas_87]

Lloyd captained the side that thumped him by 63 points, and had 4 goals and (I'd say) a few assists at least. And he can't run properly. Who's not good enough?

Not saying he's a hack, but he had a ****en dog of a game by anyone's standards.

ill agree with u, i dont think it was dans best effort this season. he got frustrated and let's face it got beaten. but besides the frustration i think he did the best he could when the midfield was getting flogged and against a champion FF (albeit injured).

[Grimreepah]

ill agree with u, i dont think it was dans best effort this season.

I agree too. I think it was his first bad game this year. It will be interesting to see how he responds to this.

[xplo]

Lloyd captained the side that thumped him by 63 points, and had 4 goals and (I'd say) a few assists at least. And he can't run properly. Who's not good enough?

Not saying he's a hack, but he had a ****en dog of a game by anyone's standards.

Lloyd captaining the side? So should Merrett have somehow foiled or nullified Lloyd's brilliant captaincy? The final score has nothing to do with Merrett v Lloyd, other than the four goals Lloyd kicked. If you reckon he had goals assists, show the stat to back it up.

[Slattery_20]

Fair enough that he had a bad game & ohe is an unco...but i'd suggest you watch the rest of the games his played this year and then comment. You came on this thread and suggested he was rubbish previously, but you obviously know little about him and can I assume that you watched him for the 1st time this year on Saturday. He was a guy who had only played aussie rules for a few years and failed when put into the forward line. He was pushed to fullback towards the end of last year and has improved immensely and been great this year after only about 12 or 13 games in that position.

Don't make somebody bring out the 'goals against' stats when compared to Micheal this year.

I wasn't really seriously suggesting he had been rubbish previously, I was stating (as was bloody obvious to most at the game, including all three of the Brisbane supporters I spoke to after the game) that he had a poor game - and that the previous comment I replied to, that he was improving, was off the mark.

Haven't got the stats on Lloyd's goal assists, but he put one good ball in front of a running midfielder on the right forward flank while surrounded by 3 oppo players - under fairly good pressure

[Grimreepah]

Have been pretty happy with Merrett's progress. Was expecting a couple of shockers along the way, but he's been fairly consistent. I think that might be because he has good concentration. If he can get his kicking skills up to scratch (not that that's an easy thing to do) he'll be a very good player.

[BigCat2]

Have been pretty happy with Merrett's progress. Was expecting a couple of shockers along the way, but he's been fairly consistent. I think that might be because he has good concentration. If he can get his kicking skills up to scratch (not that that's an easy thing to do) he'll be a very good player.

Let's just get him to focus on spoiling for now. Give him different tasks then he'll start to try and dance around 5 opponents and dropping chest marks again. :D

Good effort from Big Red tonight. Was on Tredrea's hammer all night and made him work for his kicks. Was not really a factor.

[TheBrownDog]

How good was Strawb's last quarter!

He really injected himself and burst forward to help drive us towards goal.

Really surprised me... he's going to be a great defender in a couple of years.

[don vito of fitzroy]

I couldn't believe how he went forward myself. He still lacks a bit of confidence in that department but his spoiling game is getting much better. Has the potential to be one of the best spoilers in the comp.

Mal who?

[notting18]

I couldn't believe how he went forward myself. He still lacks a bit of confidence in that department but his spoiling game is getting much better. Has the potential to be one of the best spoilers in the comp.

Mal who?
I would argue his is the best spoiler in the comp...leads spoils, etc - however he needs to work on the other areas of his game. Last nights game shows that he is improving there!

[Grimreepah]

Defenders are finding it very difficult to score goals against Big Red.

Tredrea - 0 goals
Lynch - 0 goals
Newton - 0 goals
Fevola - 3 goals
Rocca - 1 goal

The commentary said he leads the competition in spoils, 25 ahead of the next bloke. The Merrett fist is starting to gain a bit of a reputation.

Even his composure and offensive play I think is a lot better than earlier in the year.

[TheBrownDog]

Defenders are finding it very difficult to score goals against Big Red.


Forwards too!

[Grimreepah]

Forwards too!

That's even more impressive:o

[Kochie 16]

Defenders are finding it very difficult to score goals against Big Red.

Tredrea - 0 goals
Lynch - 0 goals
Newton - 0 goals
Fevola - 3 goals
Rocca - 1 goal

The commentary said he leads the competition in spoils, 25 ahead of the next bloke. The Merrett fist is starting to gain a bit of a reputation.

Even his composure and offensive play I think is a lot better than earlier in the year.
I wasn't aware that any 'defenders' had scored against Sauce Head?:p

[TheBrownDog]

I wasn't aware that any 'defenders' had scored against Sauce Head?:p

You already missed that boat Koch.

[Grimreepah]

Tredrea - 0 goals
Lynch - 0 goals
Newton - 0 goals
Fevola - 3 goals
Rocca - 1 goal

Petrie - 0 goals

[TheBrownDog]

God he's good!

[Grimreepah]

God he's good!

Petrie had kicked 18 goals in the last 5 weeks, but tonight he was pantsed.

http://i19.tinypic.com/520m6wn.jpg

[TheBrownDog]

May even crack a 4/10 from Hammo in Inside Footy. :rolleyes:

[luthor]

May even crack a 4/10 from Hammo in Inside Footy. :rolleyes:

Big Red would be more likely to get a better mark from the Russian judge than from Hammo.

Hammo sux.:thumbsd:

[notting18]

Was another great game from him - his offensive game has also been improving....he even took a mark when he maybe could've spolied:eek:

[Ruse]

Was another great game from him - his offensive game has also been improving....he even took a mark when he maybe could've spolied:eek:
yeah he was doing that a lot the last couple years as a forward.

[Lace Out]

6 year full back.

No more posts from me on this matter.

May comment in 6 years.

[notting18]

yeah he was doing that a lot the last couple years as a forward.

Maybe - he has been certainly favouring the spoil a lot more this year as a defender and even last year he'd generally "spoil" his own mark;)

[Grimreepah]

Not only is Merrett good at getting a fist to the ball, but he usually manages to direct the ball over the sideline, which allows our defence to reset.

[konstas_87]

i cant believe it, but i think he had his best game for the season V the Roos.
he has played some crackers but i dont remember ONCE when he could have done any better or not have given a free away, etc.

what a find, and to think if we were winning games last year he probably would never have been thrown back and probably not played a game this year.

Ironic they spent so much time developing him as a forward when the "flukey" defensive move was the most effective :)

[LuckyLuke]

Does anyone know if there would be any faster Full Backs in the league than Strab? I wonder if the panel that decides on the AA selection will even consider him this year.

[xplo]

what a find, and to think if we were winning games last year he probably would never have been thrown back and probably not played a game this year.

Ironic they spent so much time developing him as a forward when the "flukey" defensive move was the most effective :)

The bigger irony -- if Sargent Grumpy hadn't pulled up stumps and stomped off to Windy Hill, Merrett wouldn't have played fullback for the last 4 games of 2006 -- they clearly tried him there knowing Michael wasn't an ongoing option -- and may very well have been delisted as a failed forward line experiment - ala Black Betty -- just another big athlete without the footy smarts to make it.

[Grimreepah]

Franklin is the only player I have seen this year easily beat Merrett on a lead.

[konstas_87]

Franklin is the only player I have seen this year easily beat Merrett on a lead.

star of the future. not much merrett could do really midfield got hammered in the 2nd half and Franklin is an absolute gun.
freakish speed and mobility for his size.

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Matthews-urges-Lions-to-maintain-focus/2007/08/13/1186857414902.html)

"Daniel Merrett and Barry Hall they played on each other 15 weeks ago and Hall was just a bit too experienced and a bit too strong but 15 games later I think Daniel Merrett is a much better player." Leigh Matthews

http://img476.imageshack.us/img476/561/merrettbq8.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://lions.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5085/Default.aspx?newsId=49183)

The case for the defence

8:48 AM Thu 16 August, 2007
By Simon White,
for lions.com.au

DANIEL Merrett is likely to have the rare luxury of past experience to call upon when the Brisbane Lions take on Sydney at the Gabba on Saturday night.
Merrett’s own inexperience – 43 career games, of which only half have been played in defence – means he often prepares for match-ups he hasn’t previously tackled.
This week, provided star Swans spearhead Barry Hall gets over groin problems, Merrett will do battle against an opponent he knows relatively well.
The emerging 22-year-old has stood Hall twice, including an excellent effort in round 21 of last year, when he kept the Sydney co-captain to two goals in a 57-point loss.
“During the week I find out who my match-up is and then try to look at their video tapes, plus the video of last time I played on them,” Merrett explained.
“But that’s actually been a bit difficult because this has been my first full year in defence and for a lot of the guys, it’s been the first time I’ve played on them.
“Obviously I’ve played on Hall a couple of times and he’s a lot more of a physical player than someone like (last week’s opponent) Lance Franklin.”
One player Merrett is thankful he doesn’t have to square off against come game-day is his teammate Jonathan Brown.
However, he’s grateful for the opportunity to test his defensive skills against the Coleman Medal favourite on the training track.
Merrett’s well-timed spoils and ability to stay with opponents in marking contests have been a feature of the Lions’ play all season, particularly during the five-game winning streak between round 14 and round 18.
“I’m really glad I don’t have to play (Brown) against him in matches – he’s an unbelievable player,” Merrett said.
“But at the same time, I’m very lucky he’s at my club because it means I get to train against the best forward going around.
“As a defender at training you do a fair bit of one-on-one, contest stuff against the forwards, which really helps with your timing.
“The forwards work on their marking and we work on our spoiling and punching the ball away.”
Leigh Matthews went to great lengths earlier in the week to hose down talk of finals qualification, saying the Lions needed to keep their minds on tasks closer to hand for September action to remain a possibility.
Merrett, at the heart of a youthful back six that is letting in only 83 points per game (down from 101 last year), understands where his coach is coming from.
“It’s difficult not to think about finals when you are a chance to make it – but you have to put it out of your mind,” he said.
“In the middle of the year we were playing some pretty stagnant footy, but we managed to turn it around and I think everyone is enjoying being out there at the moment.
“The main thing for us is that we finish the year strongly.
“The last couple of years we had lots of injuries and we dropped off badly in the last few games.”
This year we’re sort of rolling towards the end of the year and we’ve got the chance to finish off well.”



http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/6391/merrettkf2.jpg

[Cynic]

The kid is a gun and impressed me greatly on Saturday.

Is the sort of player I hope Dawson will develop into except Dawson is nowhere near as quick and spends most his time thinking he can control the matrix :s

How'd you get him anyway?

[Grimreepah]

How'd you get him anyway?

pick 30 in the 2002 national draft

[Cynic]

pick 30 in the 2002 national draft

You could probably mark that down as a tick.

[TheBrownDog]

You could probably mark that down as a tick.

His game against you guys last weekend was well below his regular standards since being moved into defence.

Good to see some opposition supporters rate him though, he is chronically underrated by the masses, which admittedly suits us fine. :D

[Lace Out]

Wouldn't be ridiculous for an AA possibility in a couple of years.I think when he becomes more confident of having his man covered we might see more run from him out of the defensive area which will compliment his game-most of the really good full backs can do this

[Grimreepah]

Cheers Cynic. We've had quite a few come on here and tell us how he's going to get torn a new one, only to find out he's very hard to score against. Even against Hawthorn I thought he did a reasonable job against formidable opponents getting quality delivery. He's a no frills player but that's basically what you want from a full back anyway. His offensive skills are improving, but still require a lot more work to be among the best key defenders in the competition. But yeah, definitely a tick.

[xplo]

You could probably mark that down as a tick.

I think he was one of Mark Browning's talent identification squad boys. Browning has been targeting big athletes in other sports and getting them to draft camps and play AFLQ games. Merrett played state level volleyball (hence the punch/spoil skills) and a bit of rugby.

Brad Moran at North (soccer), Kurt Tippett at the Crows (state rep basketball) are others that he come to mind. All are late AFL starters with potentially big upsides.

[Grimreepah]

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/9169/merrettzn1.jpg

Merrett got 20 disposals today, but I thought it was one of his poorer games. Sydney zoned off him allowing him to get possession and his lack of skills were exposed. He was also lucky Hall only kicked 1.5.

[Grimreepah]

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/1782/merrett2et4.jpg

[The Flying Belgian]

Merrett re-signs (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22354518-5003410,00.html)

Lions' star signing
Andrew Hamilton
September 04, 2007 12:00am
http://www.news.com.au/images/sources/h14_thecouriermail.gif
http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5638579,00.jpg

THE Brisbane Lions have secured another prized signature, with Daniel Merrett committing his future to the club.

Merrett was a revelation this season in the key defensive post, conceding just 38 goals in 22 games opposed to the opposition's best big forwards.

He answered the Lions' call for a regular long-term fullback after the departure of 201-game veteran Mal Michael last year.

Brisbane has a strict policy of not commenting on contracts, but it is believed Merrett has earned a significant pay rise and has signed for a further two years.

He joined the club via pick 30 in the 2002 draft, the same year Jared Brennan (3), Troy Selwood (19) and Anthony Corrie (44) arrived.

It took him a bit longer to establish himself. Brennan has played 59 games and Selwood (47) leads Merrett by one, but the fullback was one of just six Lions to play all 22 games this year.

He was seen as a project player when he arrived, having spent most of his youth playing rugby on the Gold Coast, and in his first four years at the club was groomed as a forward and back-up ruckman.

But the loss of Michael and Justin Leppitsch within a few months of each other last year left a gaping hole in defence and the 22-year-old was identified as the man to fill it.

Merrett said he didn't understand the significance at the time but Michael, the three-time premiership fullback, gave him some handy advice about finding his feet in the AFL.

"I didn't know at the time he was going to leave, but late in the year he said to me there is nothing like being thrown in the deep end and having to swim your way out," he said.

"I've enjoyed the challenge week in and week out.

"Going up forward didn't really work, but I think down back really suits me and suits my capabilities."

Merrett wasn't about to go overboard about his efforts this season.

"I'm just happy to have found a spot in the team where I'm comfortable, fit in and feel like I can contribute," he said.

"Also, just getting through 22 games is a big achievement for me."

Merrett's was the sort of contract negotiations clubs love – he was a required player who was happy where he was and had no desire to test his value in the market.

"I'm signed up. I'm from the Gold Coast and this is ideal for me," he said. "The club knows that and I'm happy to stay."

Although not a high-profile player, Merrett was a priority for the Lions who see him as the leader of the club's young defence and a 10-year fullback.



Onya strawb!

[TheBrownDog]

Good on ya Dan!

[Grimreepah]

Merrett's was the sort of contract negotiations clubs love – he was a required player who was happy where he was and had no desire to test his value in the market.

Respect to that. Apart from being loyal it sounds like he's fairly well grounded too.

[danielcanberra]

He didn't test his market value? I hope he is paid what he deserves - which should be plenty. So modest.

A required player? We need him.

Rog has come a long way and deserves all the praises heaped on him.

[dlanod]

A fullback who averages less than two goals conceded a game across a whole season? Sign me up!

[Vipertooth]

He will be the rock that Mal was all those years.

[notting18]

Was probably a little lucky to stay on the list last year and is now probably one of the 10 most important players for our future... a great turn around and great to see him commit to the club!

[TheBrownDog]

Was probably a little lucky to stay on the list last year and is now probably one of the 10 most important players for our future... a great turn around and great to see him commit to the club!

He's a Jauncey 'thinker-feeler' special... he will be a happy Lion as long as he continues to feel valued by the club.

[Quigley]

Strawb quietly resigned. Anyone got any details? Length of contract etc?

[danielcanberra]

Strawb quietly resigned. Anyone got any details? Length of contract etc?

Did you mean re-signed, as in signed again, not resigned as in quit?

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.lions.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=5085&newsId=52232)

2007 Merrett-Murray Medal Top Ten
Jonathan Brown - 68.0
Jed Adcock - 62.5
Tim Notting - 52.5
Luke Power - 51.0
Simon Black - 48.5
Nigel Lappin - 48.5
Cheynee Stiller - 45.5
Daniel Merrett - 44.0
Robert Copeland - 43.0
Joel Patfull - 42.0


Other awards
Best Defender - Daniel Merrett
Most Improved Player - Daniel Merrett



http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/8102/merretten7.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://lions.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5085/Default.aspx?newsId=52286)

End of season report: Brisbane
4:14 PM Mon 8 October, 2007
By Simon White
for lions.com.au

Coach's award (player who does the one-percenters): Week after week Daniel Merrett accepted tough gigs against the AFL’s best full-forwards. And week after week, he gave them no quarter, usually seeing off the passes intended for them with a trademark fist into the crowd. The AFL doesn’t hand out an award for the best spoiler but Merrett would be an early favourite if they did. The emerging full-back, who doesn’t turn 23 until December, is strong, quick, eager to learn and developing impressively.




http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/5026/merrettay5.jpg

[Grimreepah]

After Brennan has put a million dollar price tag on his head, it makes you appreciate guys like Merrett who aren't trying to squeeze every cent out of the club.