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DANIEL MERRETT

At a Glance

From: Gold Coast
Born: 12 December 1984
Height: 196cm
Weight: 102kg

Key Statistics

Recruited from: Southport
Draft Details: Selection # 30 - 2002 National Draft
Debut: Round 2, 2005 v Port Adelaide, AS (2 April)
AFL Games: 103 AFL Goals: 17
AFL Finals: 2 Finals Goals: 0

Statistics to Round 22, 2010

Milestone games

50th game v Port Adelaide, Round 4 2008 (12 April)
50 consecutive games v West Coast, Round 1 2009 (28 March)
100th v West Coast, Round 19 2010 (7 August)

Snapshot

Daniel Merrett has emerged as one of the premier young power fullbacks in the AFL. And that after a stop-start career which began at the opposite end of the ground. Drafted by the Brisbane Lions as a "project player" in 2002 having played very little football, the supreme power athlete showed plenty of promise in 2003 but missed virtually all the 2004 campaign with glandular fever. He made his AFL debut in '05 but struggled to consolidate his spot in '06 until given a run at fullback late in the season. He did a fine job on Barry Hall and Nick Riewoldt in the last two outings of '06 and there he stayed, making the defensive goalsquare his own in '07 as he played every game to finish 8th in the Lions B&F and win the club's 'Best Defender' award. Also played every game in '08, topping the League in defensive spoils for the second year in a row, and was rewarded with elevation to the senior leadership group by new coach Michael Voss ahead of ther 2009 season. Was married on 20 December 2008. Suffered an ankle injury in Round 8, 2009, that ended a 58-game unbroken stretch.

Season 2010

Merrett had an injury setback in 2010, missing six games after injuring his hamstring in Round 5. He returned to the team in Round 12 but never returned the good form he had shown early in the season. He played his 100th game in the Lions' win over West Coast at Subiaco in Round 19.

Season 2009

Merrett was named one of the Lions' four vice-captains in 2009 and continued to dominate in the backline. In round 8 he suffered an ankle that sidelined him for four weeks and ended his consecutive games run at 57. He came back in Round 13 but injured his hamstring in round 21 and missed the Lions' Round 22 match against the Sydney Swans. He was declared fit to play in the Lions' 2009 finals campaign and was named in the Queensland Team of the Year for the third year in a row.

Season 2008

In 2008 he finished 12th in the Lions' Best and Fairest and was named in the Queensland Team of the Year. He had taken the jobs on the Leagues' best forwards and proved his worth. He played every game and took his consecutive games total to 47.

Season 2007

Merrett became a major player in the Lions' backline in 2007 after the departure of Justin Leppitsch and Mal Michael. According to Champion Data he conceded just 38 goals in 22 matches. He was awarded the Lions' Most Improved Player and Best Defender awards and finished in the top 10 in the Club Champion award.

Background Information and Seasons 2003 - 2006

DANIEL MERRETT Year by Year
	Career		Finals		Club	Brownlow	Other
	Games	Goals	Games	Goals	B&F	Votes	Honours
2005	15	13				4
2006	9	3
2007	22	0					Lions Most Improved Player, Lions Best Defender
2008	22	0
2009	19	1	2	0		2	Lions Vice-Captain
2010	16	1
Total	103	18	2	0		6