Retired Daniel Merrett (2002-2016)

[chopperduck]

We have enough young forward options who should be given the chance to prove themselves at the top kevel should a spot open up. Even if they cant hold down the spit, they will be better for the experience. Whilst Rog might be the better option up forward, we do need to develop the forwards we have, so Rog should stay down back this season. At the very least the opportunity will answer some questions on some of the forward optiins we have. Rog is an AA FB, id love to see him back to his best and playing a full season down back. As good as it is to see him kicking goals, its for the best, long term, for the team if he isnt used forward.

I wouldnt be against a tactical swing forward in a game if needed to secure a win however.

 

[POBT]

I would love for it to be as simple as that. Unfortunately, until a couple of our key forwards show that they are worthy of playing week in and week out at senior level, then the temptation to move Merrett forward will remain. We have 4 senior standard tall defenders. We have maybe one senior standard tall forward, with a couple of capable types (Staker, McGuane, maybe West/Martin?) and the rest developing. Moreover, we don't have an obvious youngster who we can point to and say "it is a priority to get games into him".

While playing the kids is a laudable objective and makes long term sense, if it costs us games every week then Leppa can't allow it to continue when playing Merrett forward is a viable alternative. Above all else, a winning culture is vital to our club.

To me, Merrett in defence is simply plan A and is probably not set in stone.

 

[Ironmonger]

To me, Merrett in defence is simply plan A and is probably not set in stone.

I think it's slightly stronger than that. I don't think Merrett is the kind of player who easily switches back and forward without needing time to adapt, so our best option is to pick his best spot and leave him there. Maybe he can drift forward for a few minutes in a game to keep the opposition defenders on their toes.

So whoever is picked to play up forward, apart from Brown and Staker, will need time to adapt there, including Merrett. Playing Merrett forward at any stage just gives us the worst of all worlds; we lose him from the backline, we lose the chance to develop a young forward, for the sake of a marginally better forward who is very unlikely to play there long term.

I'd love it if he could instantly shift his mindset from the forwardline to the backline, like Silvagni could or Ben Reid can, but I just don't think he's that sort of player.

 

[POBT]

I think it's slightly stronger than that. I don't think Merrett is the kind of player who easily switches back and forward without needing time to adapt, so our best option is to pick his best spot and leave him there. Maybe he can drift forward for a few minutes in a game to keep the opposition defenders on their toes.

What I am suggesting is that if we're at round 8, the forward line is a basketcase and Maguire/Clarke are killing it in the reserves and at training, then Leppa is going to be sorely tempted to move Merrett forward. I agree that he will pick and stick for a period but he can't afford to go through the season with a dysfunctional forward line that costs us games.

FWIW, I think that the fitness of Staker and the recruitment of McGuane will give us the bandaid we probably need for 2014 and will hopefully negate the need to move Merrett forward.

 

[Ironmonger]

What I am suggesting is that if we're at round 8, the forward line is a basketcase and Maguire/Clarke are killing it in the reserves and at training, then Leppa is going to be sorely tempted to move Merrett forward. I agree that he will pick and stick for a period but he can't afford to go through the season with a dysfunctional forward line that costs us games.

I got that. My own opinion is that even in that case Leppitsch would be better off looking at other options. If Merrett plays forward from round 8 he probably won't significantly improve the forwardline until round 12.

Agree on Staker and McGuane. If that's the worst case scenario then that's fine.

 

[POBT]

I got that. My own opinion is that even in that case Leppitsch would be better off looking at other options. If Merrett plays forward from round 8 he probably won't significantly improve the forwardline until round 12.

I'm not sure that's a convincing argument as to why Leppa won't do as I suggested. I do agree with your assessment of Merrett and his ability to genuinely improve the forward line, at least in the short term. But, as Voss showed, the desire to see results, coupled with a lack of faith in the alternatives, means that short term priorities can prevail.

 

[POBT]

Just a rehash from an earlier video but worth posting:

http://www.lions.com.au/news/2014-01-21/wounded-lions-on-the-mend

Daniel Merrett“‘Rog’ is back in full training now, back from that broken leg he sustained late in the season.

“He’s on target to play our first NAB Challenge game (against Hawthorn in Melbourne).”

 

[POBT]

http://www.lions.com.au/news/2014-01-23/adcock-appointed-captain

Midfielder Tom Rockliff was also unveiled as the Club’s Vice-Captain, whilst Daniel Rich, Joel Patfull and Daniel Merrett will take up roles as Deputy Vice Captains.

 

[POBT]

Daniel Merrett: Has been used forward out of necessity in recent years, but no doubt the Lions are best when Merrett is at full-back. Fully recovered from a broken ankle and will start in round 1.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-02-01/lists-by-positions-defenders-part-one

 

[POBT]

http://www.afl.com.au/video?guid=612546

 

[Dylan12]

 

[Davemonkey]

Inside Football Player Rating - BLvGCS - NAB Challenge 2.
5/10 – Defended stoutly but not asked to do too much given the Suns' ball movement was ordinary.

-- Ben Casanella, Inside Football Thursday, February 27, 2014, Match Review BLvGCS

 

[Haso]

I kind of thought that he was badly shown up by Charlie Dixon actually. Hopefully this and the Sydney practise match blow the cobwebs out.

 

[Davemonkey]

I kind of thought that he was badly shown up by Charlie Dixon actually. Hopefully this and the Sydney practise match blow the cobwebs out.

Yeah I didn't think it was his best match but I think the 5 out of 10 reflects that.

 

[POBT]

DANIEL Merrett expects Lance Franklin to be "roaring" when the Sydney Swans play his Brisbane Lions in a practice match on Saturday, and it's a challenge he's looking forward to.

The game will be played in the north Brisbane suburb of Burpengary at the state's newest AFL precinct and represents the last chance for both clubs to fine-tune preparations ahead of round one.

Franklin had a quiet debut for his new club against West Coast last week, held goalless and tallying just six disposals.

But Merrett said he expected Franklin to bounce back strongly.

"That's perfect for us," he joked about criticism following the former Hawk's first game.

"Him having a quiet game, he'll be ready to come out roaring this weekend."

Merrett has traditionally taken the bigger-bodied Jarryd Roughead when the Lions played Hawthorn, but with big Swan Kurt Tippett (knee) still injured, will likely spend time on the more mobile Franklin.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-03-04/merrett-cant-wait-for-franklin-test

 

[POBT]

 

[Lace Out]

Looks to have fined down a bit,might be under a 100kg now.

 

[POBT]

Brisbane Lions defender, Daniel Merrett, a Queenslander, said the choice was a popular one among players.

“I love the old ‘BB’ pyramid design, so I was really hoping it got up in the online poll. I may have even thrown in the odd sneaky vote,’’ he said.

“The boys love the opportunity to acknowledge the club’s history and having played in the old Fitzroy style guernsey for the 2012 Hall of Fame, it will be great to don a Bears inspired guernsey this season.”

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/li...er-voting-system/story-fndv8d6r-1226845502122

 

[Davemonkey]

Inside Football player rating Rnd 1 Hawthorn Vs Brisbane Lions,

Went to O'Brien and defended stoutly. Didn't get a lot of ball though. 5/10 - Brett Anderson - Inside Football March 27, 2014

 

[Davemonkey]

Inside Football player rating Rnd 2 Brisbane Lions Vs Geelong,

Hawkins kicked two goals on him but stuck to the task well. 5/10 – Ben Casanella - Inside Football April 3, 2014

Interesting to note the Hawkins game summary.

Kicked a goal in first and second terms but was well held by Merrett

 

[Dylan12]

Rookie Jordon Bourke or first-year player Darcy Gardiner loom as contenders for the backline spot expected to be vacated by Daniel Merrett, who could spend between two to four weeks on the sidelines after making high contact with Suns midfielder David Swallow.

Brisbane have already engaged their usual legal counsel for AFL Tribunal matters and will await the Match Review Panel’s grading of the ugly contact before deciding on a course of action. Warren described the incident as “disappointing’’. “We think it was more reckless contact as opposed to intentional contact. But we just have to wait and see what the Match Review Panel come back with,’’ he said.

Merrett missed three games due to suspension last year and will have carry-over points that would lengthen his ban.

Wishful thinking on Warren's part.

For those that saw the interview with Mark Evans (AFL Operations Manager) on one of the footy show's this morning, he mentioned in light of a decision that was handed down last year, possibly a Port players hit on someone, which the AFL did not consider the suspension handed down harsh enough, that he now has the power to upgrade the penalty if he/AFL doesn't think it is harsh enough.

I'm expecting Merrett to get his deserved whack in a big way and chances are, it will be referred directly to the Tribunal. You just can't condone cheap weak acts like that, particularly when Merrett has a history of it.

 

[blynd_freddie]

Wishful thinking on Warren's part.

For those that saw the interview with Mark Evans (AFL Operations Manager) on one of the footy show's this morning, he mentioned in light of a decision that was handed down last year, possibly a Port players hit on someone, which the AFL did not consider the suspension handed down harsh enough, that he now has the power to upgrade the penalty if he/AFL doesn't think it is harsh enough.

I'm expecting Merrett to get his deserved whack in a big way and chances are, it will be referred directly to the Tribunal. You just can't condone cheap weak acts like that, particularly when Merrett has a history of it.

Not condoning but also not shutting my eyes/mind to a possible cause and effect in this incident. I agree it looks bad but... might one be able to suggest that if the force used by Merrett was LESS THAN the protective/reactive force by Swallow, that Swallow MAY HAVE adjusted the Merrett forearm to move in an upward direction? Reckless, yes... intentional head-high? Questionable.

 

[Dylan12]

 

[Mooch]

He was immense tonight. Forward, back, ruck, anywhere he was needed. I fear that he's our new ruckman for 2014 though ....

 

[John]

Outstanding game today.