MERRETT, Roger

Roger Merrett was a tough, fearless and mobile key position player and ruckman, who arrived at Windy Hill from his farm in Kaniva as a 17 year old.

As a young footballer he had been selected in the Under 17 Victorian national championship team in 1977. The team included five more future Essendon players: Peter Light, Glenn Hawker, Michael Sheldon, Justin Madden and Craig Barbary.

He made his senior debut in Round 1, 1978 but didn't play again until Round 22. In 1979 he was the Reserves Best and Fairest (an award he won again in 1981), and played four senior games for the year. He won the Gardiner Medal as the VFL Reserves Best and Fairest in 1982, and the following year Kevin Sheedy gave him an extended run at centre-half-forward. It wasn't long before Merrett stamped his authority and became an Essendon regular. He was voted the Most Improved Player that year.

Merrett admitted he had a lack of real commitment in the early years, but after coach Kevin Sheedy promised him a big future if he would commit himself, a new and dedicated Merrett was born. Later in 1983 the aggressive Merrett was sensationally named in a newspaper as an alleged 'hit man', which only served to give him added impetus.

His career hit the heights in 1984 and he was probably the most valuable player in Australia. He was full-forward in the 1984 premiership team and starred at centre half-forward, kicking five goals, in the 1985 premiership win.

Merrett was also in the ruck and forward pocket in the 1981 night premiership team and full-forward in the 1984 night premiership side.

He built his game on commitment and aggression, hard work and strong marking, he relished competition and team-mates said they walked taller knowing that "Roger the Dodger" was around.

Merrett was selected in the Victorian team in 1984, 1985 and 1986 and captained the State team against South Australia in 1986. He was also selected in the All-Australian team in 1984 and 1985. He was selected in the ruck in The Sun newspaper all star team in 1985.

Merrett was Essendon's third Best and Fairest and the Best Team Man in 1985. He was also Essendon's second top Brownlow Medal vote scorer in 1984 and the equal second top goalkicker in 1985.

In 1986 and 1987, because of nagging injuries, he struggled to recapture his great earlier form and his slump was a key factor in Essendon' lack of success.

Merrett left Essendon for Brisbane at the end of 1987, a move that coach Kevin Sheedy later said was one that he regretted. Rather than be a bit player in a struggling team, Merrett threw himself into his new club, playing 164 games over nine seasons, six as captain, and became a club favourite and role model to the younger players.

He later became assistant coach at Brisbane after his retirement in 1996 and was caretaker senior coach for a short time in 1998 when the club sacked John Northey. However, he was not retained as senior coach in 1999, the position going to Leigh Matthews.

He ran a post office on the Gold Coast but suffered a stroke in 2011. He recovered enough to assist his son, Ben, in his coaching duties for the Bond University reserves team.

Roger Merrett was named at number 29 in the Champions of Essendon (2002) and was inducted as a Member of the Hall of Fame in 2018. Brisbane named their best and fairest award the Merrett-Murray Medal after Roger and Fitzroy champion, Kevin Murray. He was awarded AFL Life membership in 1996.