Retired Daniel Merrett (2002-2016)

[Grimreepah]

Jonathan Brown back next week

• Greg Davis
• From: Herald Sun
• April 09, 2012 12:00AM

In the absence of Brown, Merrett was thrown forward as the Lions' makeshift spearhead.
He did a solid job, kicking two goals against both Melbourne and Carlton in the first two rounds.
But Merrett said his stint in attack had only given him more respect for Brown, who has plied his trade in the difficult centre half-forward position his entire career.
"It's a very frustrating and difficult position to play," Merrett said. "You always seem to be outnumbered because teams always seem to get their numbers back.
"It was good to see the game from the other side but it will be great to see the big fella back where he belongs."

 

[Grimreepah]

Ashley McGrath

McGrath said having Brown back would not only give the Lions a focal point in the forward line, but allow the back six to reunite with Daniel Merrett's likely return to defence.

"The 'Big Rusty Fist' (Merrett) is known as the number one spoiler in the comp and probably gives our backline the presence down there that 'Browny' would have in the forward line," he said.

"Big Goose (Matt) Maguire has held on pretty well down there, (but Merrett) just makes our back six. We've played together for a while and to have big Daniel missing from that six kind of hurt, but I thought we did pretty well to fill his space."

 

[Grimreepah]

Link ....

Longer is expected to spend time in a tall forward line that will also include Jonathan Brown, who is playing his first game after a pre-season facial injury, and possibly Daniel Merrett, who trained forward on Friday.

 

[Grimreepah]

Round 3 vs Fremantle

Billy Longer was provided with some assistance from vice-capain Daniel Merrett who continues to provide wholehearted efforts to any tasks coach Michael Voss asks of him.

 

[ZoBlitz]

I think much of the criticism of Merrett playing forward is off the mark. While his kicking for goal is not wonderful, his ability to provide a contest and run out a game is not something that should be unrecognised. He certainly provided more going forward than Banfield or Brown.

 

[Grimreepah]

Merrett's kicking out of defence is not wonderful either.

 

[Ironmonger]

I think much of the criticism of Merrett playing forward is off the mark. While his kicking for goal is not wonderful, his ability to provide a contest and run out a game is not something that should be unrecognised. He certainly provided more going forward than Banfield or Brown.

Bit of an understatement.

It's not really the point anyway. He just doesn't exert the same amount of influence up forward as he does down back.

The strange thing about him playing up forward today is that with Leuenberger and Brown up there early we already looked tall and slow.

 

[ZoBlitz]

Bit of an understatement.

It's not really the point anyway. He just doesn't exert the same amount of influence up forward as he does down back.

The strange thing about him playing up forward today is that with Leuenberger and Brown up there early we already looked tall and slow.

That may be true but do you think any of the other forwards on our list would have done any better tonight considering how the game went? If he played back and one of our other key forwards was in the side we wouldn't have gone any better.

 

[weevil]

That may be true but do you think any of the other forwards on our list would have done any better tonight considering how the game went? If he played back and one of our other key forwards was in the side we wouldn't have gone any better.

And conversely he is a negating backman. He shuts down a key forward, he does not provide a lot of run and does not have excellent disposal or decision making.

None of the Freo forwards dominated at all, he would have provided very little extra that we did not already have in our backline.

As I've said previously, I don't think just reflexively saying he must play either end is too simplistic. I think the position where he will provide best value for us is dependent on who we are playing and and our team structure.

 

[Ironmonger]

And conversely he is a negating backman. He shuts down a key forward, he does not provide a lot of run and does not have excellent disposal or decision making.

None of the Freo forwards dominated at all, he would have provided very little extra that we did not already have in our backline.

As I've said previously, I don't think just reflexively saying he must play either end is too simplistic. I think the position where he will provide best value for us is dependent on who we are playing and and our team structure.

.

It's just not true to say that Merrett is nothing more than a negating defender: he averaged five and a half marks a game playing back there last season which allowed us to set up from defence. Plus his spoiling is more intelligent than any of our other defenders. He can win possession, not just bring about a 50/50 at ground level.

Playing Merrett in the forwardline seems to be sacrificing a possible advantage in the backline in order to shore up a weakness in the forwardline. I see the point of view, but I think we need to try and dominate parts of the ground, not break even everywhere. We really lacked winners yesterday and it just doesn't help to have players out of position.

 

[weevil]

I think Goose did all of those things for us yesterday.

I think our backline did completely dominate. Freo were a rudderless ship up forward, for their midfield dominance and the amount of ball they had up forward they should have kicked a massive score.

It was a rolling scrum I just can’t see him making any substantial difference down back in that game.

In a fast open game with a big quick opposition FF I want him back every game. I think we matched up on them really well yesterday without Big Red.

 

[chopperduck]

Agree with weevil, Merrett was surplus to needs down back, Patfull and Goose held down the backline with no problems. Merrett gave us something to kick to up forward, and as a result, had a couple of shots on goal. Pitty he didn't convert. Having the setup of Merrett, Bergs and Brown up forwarded seemed like a tall forward line to suit the way we were using the ball in that game. We didn't need the small zippy players up there because we weren't letting the game turn into a foot race.

I like the fact that the coaching box thought outside the box a bit, and game up with a game plan to beat freo, which we weren't far off doing. Was the right plan of attack.

 

[Sanchez365]

Yea I noted this in another thread but honesty who gets moved out of the backline to put Merrett back in? You pretty much have to take one of Lester/Patful/Maguire out. All three of those guys did well on the weekend and none of them provide a substantial amount more or less in offensive drive than what Merrett does.

On the otherhand however, I do think that a forward with a little bit more goal sence would be worth moving one of those defenders out for Merrett, just because we have young forwards with more natural forward abilities. That said, Merrett did alright in the NAB cup when we were winning the clearances more so who know?! I think the problem really stems from there.

 

[Grimreepah]

Round 4 vs Fremantle

Veteran Ben Hudson will be Brisbane's sole specialist ruckman with vice-capatin Daniel Merrett likely to relieve the former Bulldog.

 

[Grimreepah]

Video: Mark Harvey

Will the match committee be tempted to move Merrett back?

Well we'll wait and see on that. They're all the puzzles that will get thrown around at selection. We think that Merrett is playing well down there with Brown, and also Cornelius in his first week back into the side.

Our defence has been rock solid. We're keeping teams down to pretty low scores, except for the Carlton game. Our defenders are in good form so we might back them in at this stage.

 

[ZoBlitz]

For all the wringing of hands about Merrett playing forward, we do still currently have the equal 7th best defence in terms of points scored against which isn't too shabby considering the flogging Carlton gave us.

 

[Sanchez365]

At this point I don't think it's about strengthening our defence but more about tightening up the forward line. Moving Merrett back isn't going to make our defence a whole lot stronger, but bringing in someone with more natural goal sense is going to make our attack look a lot stronger.

That said the only chance of that is taking a gamble on a young player to fill that forward line void. Move Merrett down back, Cornelius moves up to the number 2 defender which lowers his output and then means the new forward has to really perform. It's an interesting question and I don't know what the answer is, there are pros and cons for both and it could go either way.

On a side note, I'm impressed at what a versatile player Merrett has become. He can play down back, up forward, in the ruck, and I was super imrpessed with him playing through the midfield briefly last week. His speed and strength is such an assett all over the ground, he tackled really well in the midfield last week, I'm just super wrapped with how great his effort has been with the "fill in the blanks" roles he's been given. Great stuff!

 

[ZoBlitz]

At this point I don't think it's about strengthening our defence but more about tightening up the forward line. Moving Merrett back isn't going to make our defence a whole lot stronger, but bringing in someone with more natural goal sense is going to make our attack look a lot stronger.

That said the only chance of that is taking a gamble on a young player to fill that forward line void. Move Merrett down back, Cornelius moves up to the number 2 defender which lowers his output and then means the new forward has to really perform. It's an interesting question and I don't know what the answer is, there are pros and cons for both and it could go either way.

On a side note, I'm impressed at what a versatile player Merrett has become. He can play down back, up forward, in the ruck, and I was super imrpessed with him playing through the midfield briefly last week. His speed and strength is such an assett all over the ground, he tackled really well in the midfield last week, I'm just super wrapped with how great his effort has been with the "fill in the blanks" roles he's been given. Great stuff!

Good points. There are a lot of interesting discussions to be had about it by the selection committee. Not a bad problem to have really.

Absolutely agree with your points about the versatility of Merrett. His effort is top notch and I get the feeling he's the kind of player that enjoys challenges. Hopefully he can continue it through the season.

 

[Sanchez365]

Good points. There are a lot of interesting discussions to be had about it by the selection committee. Not a bad problem to have really.

Absolutely agree with your points about the versatility of Merrett. His effort is top notch and I get the feeling he's the kind of player that enjoys challenges. Hopefully he can continue it through the season.

I think it will come down to weather they decide to go with the what has been working approach and is doing well, or if they go with the we want to push to try and get the best out of our team that we can.

If Merrett stays in the forward line = playing it safe. Not that I would be against that, but we shall see what they do!

 

[Grimreepah]

Michael Voss

An obvious response would be to reunite bruisers Matt Maguire and Merrett to combat Podsiadly and Hawkins, two of the AFL's top five goalkickers after four rounds."That's something we'll consider, but whether or not we go down that path will be debated strongly," Voss said.
"The conditions will affect that decision as well.
"Podsiadly and Hawkins are two big men, but I've been pretty happy with our defence."

 

[Grimreepah]

Round 5 vs Geelong

Midway through the third term, Lions defender Daniel Merrett's poor attempt at a soccer clearance dribbled to Paul Chapman, whose pinpoint pass was well marked by Mitch Duncan. With the Lions still goalless, the young Cat calmly slotted through the major from a tight angle. It was the game in microcosm.

 

[lions2010]

For all the wringing of hands about Merrett playing forward, we do still currently have the equal 7th best defence in terms of points scored against which isn't too shabby considering the flogging Carlton gave us.

Striving for 7th best is not what Brisbane should be aiming for. I personally dont see why we would play our best tall defender in the forward line. We need continuity in defence, the goose is not up to it consistently. Brisbane need to be solid and move merrett back. We dont see Scarlett playing in geelongs forward line. With the forward line itself, they need to find and develop options. Brown was terrible last night and they need to find options other than merrett that will get Brisbane competitive again. Brisbane are rebuilding not plugging holes, so I see no value in this move

 

[possum8]

Striving for 7th best is not what Brisbane should be aiming for. I personally dont see why we would play our best tall defender in the forward line. We need continuity in defence, the goose is not up to it consistently. Brisbane need to be solid and move merrett back. We dont see Scarlett playing in geelongs forward line. With the forward line itself, they need to find and develop options. Brown was terrible last night and they need to find options other than merrett that will get Brisbane competitive again. Brisbane are rebuilding not plugging holes, so I see no value in this move

I agree completely, i would rather have Merrett down back. Would much rather have retzy/lisle being groomed in these positions alongside Browny whilst he is still playing. Acorn/Retzy/Brown with Banfield, Mcgrath and Green would be my forward line.

 

[Grimreepah]

Essendon vs Brisbane preview

Where will Daniel Merrett play? Voss still seems uncertain which is the best end of the ground for his red headed vice-captain. His big body creates a great contest in the forward line, but despite good early season form from Matt Maguire and Joel Patfull in the back half, Merrett does his best work in defence.

 

[Grimreepah]

Josh Drummond

Drummond, who is slowly returning to his best form, said the Lions' backline was capable of performing without Merrett if that's the way the coach opted.

"’Rodge’ (Merrett) has been terrific for us down there the last few years, but it's just one of those things you have to weigh up," Drummond said.

"It's very easy to look from the side and say ‘Rodge’ should be playing back but the guys down there, our backline, have held up reasonably well so far this year so it's given us that ability to play ‘Rodge’ in a different role.

"I know he loves being back there, and as a fellow defender it's great having him back down there. I guess it'll come down to match-ups and where it's best to use him week by week."