Retired Daniel Merrett (2002-2016)

[Mazza44]

Wow amazing. Grats Merret .

I would be crying in laughter if someone told me this 2 years ago!

 

[Hollow Knight]

Stitchface and I get to chat to Daniel every now and then, and he's a top bloke, and very worthy of this honour.

Congrats Daniel, you deserve it.

 

[Grimreepah]

Link

Backline leader takes full field
By Michael Whiting
9:03 AM Thu 11 December, 2008

BRISBANE Lions full-back Daniel Merrett was a late bloomer in the sport but he's quickly become one of the club's outstanding leaders.
Having now played 68 games, including every game in the last two seasons, Merrett was recently rewarded for his on and off-field contributions when named one of the Lions' four vice-captains for 2009.
Merrett, who turns 24 on Friday, only took Australian football up in his final years at high school and has flourished since being drafted as a project player in 2002. He made his AFL debut in 2005.
He said joining Simon Black, Luke Power and Jed Adcock in captain Jonathan Brown's leadership group was a huge buzz.
"It was a strange feeling when I got told," he said.
"I'd seen myself as a leader in the backline and I do see myself as a leader, but when they put a tag on it that hit home with me.
"I'm not really going to change too much on the field. Doing what I've done is what got me here in the first place."
Merrett said he had been working on his fitness and skills this pre-season – two areas that he felt needed the most attention ahead of another campaign.
And he said he couldn't wait to continue the work of a backline that provided some stability for the Lions in 2008.
Merrett, 196cm and 102kg, had Joel Patfull and Joel Macdonald join him in the back half for most of the season, and that combination had a lot to do with the Lions' 7-4 record at the halfway mark.
"I've got a lot of confidence in those guys, and Jason Roe and Ash McGrath and even Jed when he goes back there," he said, also acknowledging Josh Drummond who battled injury at stages of the year.
"Joel Patfull plays taller than he is. I think we've definitely got the troops down there.
"I'm keeping an eye on the fellas in the backline [in pre-season training] and I've been impressed with Tom Collier, and Josh Drummond is looking particularly good for this time of year so hopefully that's a good sign of things to come for him."
Merrett said the club had been a "happy, united environment" in new coach Michael Voss' first two months at the helm.

Daniel Merrett is confident the Lions' defence can build on its 2008 efforts

 

[Grimreepah]

Merrett is definitely out of the NAB cup.

Still recovering from knee surgery.

 

[Grimreepah]

Link

Merrett will miss Friday night's game following off-season knee surgery. But the 24-year-old will return to the training track this week with a view to being fit for Round 1.
It has still been an eventful summer for the Southport junior who holds the club record for the 20m and 40m sprints.
He was elevated to the club's leadership group and was chosen to be one of Brisbane's two representatives in the AFL's national advertising campaign, which will be launched next month.
Merrett is about to enter his fifth season of senior football and, with 68 games under his belt, said he was happy to shoulder extra responsibility whether or not he was named a vice-captain.
"I consider myself to be one the senior guys there so I'm very excited to be chosen in a leadership position," he said.
"Even if I wasn't, I don't think I would change anything at all.
"I consider myself to be a leader out on the field in defence anyway so I just want to continue doing what I have been doing."

 

[Lehmo87]

It says a lot about Merrett that he only picked up football a couple years before being drafted and, after only 5 years of senior football, he's a leader of the team. Hopefully he can get back for Round 1 and have a big year

 

[BigCat2]

Actually, he's about to his enter his 7th year on our list. Drafted at end of 2002...

Yeah I know he missed footy early on with glandular fever and being new to the game.

 

[notting18]

Using Merrett in our media campaigns makes sense to me. He would most likely be our 'best and most senior' QLDr player at the moment (Charman's form/fitness, Drummond's fitness, etc)

It always seems good to me for the club to be advertising the Brisbane Lions as a 'pathway' for your Queenslanders. Especially with GC17 waiting in the wings about to pump out this "true Queensland born and breed" crap.

 

[Grimreepah]

Link

Lions defender Merrett backs AFL rule change
Article from:
By Robert Craddock
March 03, 2009 11:00pm

LIONS minister for defence Daniel Merrett hopes the AFL introduces the rule that punishes rushed behinds for this year's premiership.
The AFL has tried the rule in the NAB Cup and will decide within the next fortnight whether to introduce it for the season proper.
Merrett expects them to do so and claims it will be good for the game - even though it would make his life more difficult..
''It definitely makes the game a lot more exciting,'' said Merrett, who will not appear for Brisbane until the March 28 season opener against West Coast at the Gabba.
''I think it will be introduced in round 1. They have had some good feedback from it.
''I haven't been out there but from a defender's point of view it will make things more difficult. But it will make the game a better spectacle.
''They have been pretty lenient on the guys when they have been under pressure and rushed a behind, and I reckon that's fair enough.
''It's when you are not under pressure and you do it that you deserve to be caught.''
Merrett has been promoted to the Lions' leadership group this season, a satisfying reward for a player who did not play the game seriously until the under-18s.
His confidence has grown each winter to the point where he is now regarded, at 24, as one of the toughest defenders in the league.
He said he is excited about being in the the leadership group.
''I didn't think even 12 months ago I would have been in it by now,'' he said.
''But even if I hadn't been in the leadership group I would have seen myself as a senior player and tried to be a leader nonetheless.
''I am becoming more comfortable in my position and have been more vocal and starting to organise guys down back. I feel more of a part of the team and not just trying to get a start in the team.''
One of the fastest sprinters in the club, Merrett has had to adapt to the game's latest fad - the 18-man zone in which a mass of players swoop downfield in a giant flood whenever a team has possession.
Fans may complain about the tactic making the game too defensive but Merritt is happy to have all the support he can get.
''I am not sure whether it is a good thing. It will probably change in a couple of years,'' he said.
''There is nothing worse when you are sitting in the forward 50 with yourself and Buddy Franklin. The more numbers back, the better.
''From last year people started to do that 18-man zone and for me that meant more numbers back with me.
''You will still get the big one-on-one contests but probably not as much. If you move the ball quickly enough other teams won't have time to set up their zone and you will see the one-on-one contests we all love to see.''

 

[dlanod]

While Lions assistant coach Justin Leppitsch said vice-captain Daniel Merrett would be right to go for the clash with the West Coast Eagles on March 28, he admitted the defensive unit still had a hole or two to fill.

Merrett's pre-season has been delayed with a nagging quad injury and equally reliable Joel Patfull missed the first week but will line up for his third straight match against Richmond on Friday night.

While Merrett will lock down the full-back spot, former All-Australian defender Leppitsch said other positions were not as secure.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/73169/default.aspx

 

[Hollow Knight]

Link

Brisbane Lions stars Jamie Charman, Daniel Merrett to play practice match for Aspley

Andrew Hamilton
The Courier Mail

BRISBANE Lions have sought AFL permission to loan star pair Jamie Charman and Daniel Merrett to AFLQ newcomers Aspley to enable them to gain much-needed match fitness before the start of the premiership season.

Neither player has taken part in any of the Lions' NAB Cup or regional challenge games.

Coach Michael Voss is desperate for them to experience match conditions before the round 1 clash with West Coast at the Gabba on Saturday week.

Merrett, elevated to the leadership group this year, is one of the first players picked each week as he is the only true big man in an undersized defence.

His power and pace off the mark will be crucial to Brisbane's hopes of curtailing powerhouse Eagles forward Quentin Lynch.

Charman's availability is equally important as the Eagles boast the premier ruckman in the competition, Dean Cox.

Merrett injured his qu ad muscle during pre-season training, while Charman has had a recurrence of a long-standing knee injury.

Voss confirmed yesterday the club had written to the AFL to seek permission for the pair to represent Aspley in the AFLQ scratch match against Morningside on Saturday.

The match at Coorparoo will be played over four 20-minute quarters with no time on and Voss said he expected the duo to each complete about 40 minutes of game time.

"It's just to give them that first blow, really. We just need them to experience that initial 10 minutes to get them used to the contact and the pace of the game," he said.

Aspley Hornets are one of three clubs,alongside the Western Magpies and the Northern Territory, that have joined the new-look AFLQ.

The Hornets are coached by former Zillmere coach David Martin and captained by two-time Lions premiership player Robert Copeland.

 

[brisbanelioness]

Would be a good game to watch - Charmo, Strawbs and Bushy all playing together again! Damnit, we will be in Coffs this weekend for another bloody wedding. Any chance of getting an update on how match-fit Charmo and Merrett look and how they are holding up injury-wise, please?

 

[Grimreepah]

Daniel Merrett doing some promotional work for the AFL:

 

[Grimreepah]

Link

Merrett is scheduled to take to Griffin Park at Coorparoo on Saturday afternoon against Morningside and said he is excited about playing competitive football again.

"I'll have the GPS on and get my kilometres up,'' he said.

"I'll make sure I play down back and be accountable and get back to basics and get that fatigue in the body again.

"I'll definitely be sucking in the seagulls. Just working under fatigue, that's what I want to get out of it because that's what I'll be like on March 28 against West Coast.''

Merrett said he expected to play half a game, possibly more, depending on the advice from the club's conditioning staff.

The reliable fullback's pre-season was disrupted because a lingering knee injury courtesy of tightness in his thigh.

Merrett said there would be no problem entering round one.

"I've got confidence in the training I've done that I will be able to compete well against West Coast," he said.

"I only played one pre-season game last year as well."

 

[blynd_freddie]

"I'll definitely be sucking in the seagulls. Just working under fatigue, that's what I want to get out of it because that's what I'll be like on March 28 against West Coast.''

Hahaha, that is SO gotta be my new fantasy footy team name > SUCKnINtheSEAGULLS...

 

[Tassie4ever]

Looked ok to me today- well short of a gallop, but nothing untoward body wise. One big bloke when he measures up against the local players.

 

[Grimreepah]

Link

Praise for Daniel Merrett as Anthony Rocca returns
Article from:
April 16, 2009 07:29pm

AS key Collingwood forward Anthony Rocca prepared for a long-awaited return, Brisbane Lions fullback Daniel Merrett received a timely compliment from coach Michael Voss.

The Lions mentor has compared late bloomer Merrett to legendary fullback Mal Michael ahead of Friday night's "vitally important" AFL blockbuster against the Magpies at the Gabba.
Stopping a pumped up Rocca is a scary proposition but Voss backed vice-captain Merrett against any opponent, drawing comparisons with three-time premiership player Michael.

Not a bad rap for a 24-year-old who first played the sport as a high school senior and made his AFL debut only four years ago.

"Rog (Merrett) is a powerful and agile unit and is actually one of the quickest players on our list," Voss said.

"I have no hesitation in plonking Daniel at the top of the goal-square whether he is playing on a tall or small opposition forward.

"He is versatile in that he can match the physical strength of (Sydney's) Barry Hall one week and can also play on a medium-sized opponent playing out of the goal-square.

"I thought Mal Michael did that very well and so does Daniel."

 

[Hollow Knight]

Link

Contact between the Brisbane Lions’ Daniel Merrett and Essendon’s Henry Slattery from the second quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. Merrett’s action was seen by the panel as a shepherd and not a striking motion.

 

[joshhem]

Merrett left the field early in Saturday nights game v Bombers and had plenty of ice on his ankle as he walked off the ground. There has been no mention of this by any source, so we hope that this means that there is no concern and he will be 100% ready for Richmond.

 

[Grimreepah]

So that's what this is referring to:

Meanwhile, Voss said they were monitoring fullback Daniel Merrett...

 

[bears2lions]

A commentator with Fox (during today's game - round 7 v Richmond) described Merrett as "the best spoiler in the league".

 

[Hollow Knight]

A commentator with Fox (during today's game - round 7 v Richmond) described Merrett as "the best spoiler in the league".

Today's game was channel 10 commentators.

But yeah, its not really a revelation, I think statisically Merrett has lead the league for spoils over the past two years.

What is really impressive is that he is developing a more complete game and providing great rebound. Nothing cringeworthy about Big Red with ball in hand anymore.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Merrett's great form is also more impressive considering he practically had no pre-season whatsoever.

Always get 100 percent effort from Big Red and he's always improving.

His value to the team can not be overstated.

 

[FFB1]

Cracked up on TSFS this morning when he said a few of the boys call him "The Rusty Fist".

 

[Grimreepah]

Link

Daniel Merrett joins Brisbane Lion's elite

Article from:
Andrew Hamilton
May 11, 2009 12:00am

JONATHAN Brown, Simon Black, Luke Power . . . and Daniel Merrett. The first three names are among the AFL elite.
And they would be the first picked by Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss each week. Merrett would be the fourth.
It was these men, who, along with Jed Adcock, make up the Lions' leadership group, that drew the line in the sand to deliver Brisbane a season-defining victory over Richmond on Saturday.
The Lions started poorly but were able to turn an early 25-point deficit into a 26-point victory.
"I think they really stood up. I spoke to them at quarter-time and they were pretty positive in their messages that we could turn it around," Voss said.
"And they really took the onus on themselves.
"Our leadership group has really grown over the course of the year and is really starting to understand what is required and what they can and can't do out there."

While the three stars attracted plaudits from commentators and columnists alike, internally Merrett's contribution was considered just as pivotal.
He was once just a one-on-one defender who you could trust to give his all in stopping his direct opponent, but not expect too much more from him.
Now he marshals the defence, leaves his opponent to be the second or third man in aerial contests and provides much underrated rebound from the back 50.
One such run on Saturday in which he tucked the ball under his arm, had a bounce and booted it long and straight to Brown, led to a goal that helped changed the course of the match.
"I wanted to become that type of player," Merrett said.
"It has been a natural progression, maybe some maturity and I'm gaining more confidence in myself and the people around me.
"And I'm more confident with the ball in hand, it was something I've really worked hard on."
Voss paid tribute to Merrett's determination to improve and said he had taken his game to a new level.
"He is making good decisions, he is kicking the ball really well and adding some attacking rebound, oppositions just can't leave him alone any more," Voss said.
"He is able to support his defenders and go third up, that is the area he has really added to his game, he doesn't just shut down his own opponent."