FOR the best part of three decades, Limestone Coast football has been dominated by the presence of Penola’s Adam Merrett.
The nickname “Hoggett” has reverberated around McCorquindale Park since Merrett first picked up a football and he has gone on to play more than 400 senior games and kick around 900 goals.
As a youngster, he appeared destined to reach these heights with a maiden A Grade appearance at the tender age of 14.
Merrett said a thirst for the game fuelled his route to the top.
“I was never pushed into having to play football, I just wanted to do it,” he said.
“I was just passionate to play footy and kick the ball really, it all lead from there.”
Merrett also enjoyed a rapid rise at representative level too, with a stunning start at Glenelg.
“I played rep footy in the junior grades and then got the opportunity to play with Glenelg as a 15-year-old,” he said.
“I went up and was best on ground in an Under 17’s game.
“One week later I was best on ground in the Under 19’s and then was second best in the Reserves the week after.
“I just enjoyed the opportunity.”
Football was not the only sport Merrett excelled in growing up.
He was also a handy cricketer having claimed the MGDCA Under 14’s batting, bowling, fielding and player of the year awards in 1996.
But he eventually chose football after being forced to make a tough decision between the two sports.
The choice proved to be a fruitful one, as Merrett packed his bags and moved to Adelaide after spending two years in Penola’s A Grade.
He became a settled member in the Tigers’ SANFL Reserves team as a defender, but a significant knee injury interrupted his development.
Merrett missed three months of that year’s season, but recovered in time to play in the Under 19’s grand final against Port Adelaide.
A club decision caused him to have an extended run in the under-age team and it paid off.
Merrett shone on the half-back line and won the Tomkins Medal as the league’s Under 19 best and fairest in 2001.
Despite the success, he started to miss his home and made a career-changing call.
“I felt a bit homesick,” Merrett said.
“It was only meant to be a few weeks, but pre-season started and I just made the decision I wanted to stay home.
“I went back working for mum and dads logging business and I played under Daniel Clark in A Grade at Penola.”
Merrett returned to his home town in 2001 and did not have to wait for his first senior premiership, as Penola defeated Kybybolite in the grand final one year later.
After three strong seasons back home at club and representative level, Merrett decided to have another crack at SANFL.
Despite negotiating with his former club Glenelg, “Hoggett” felt “more welcome” at Port Adelaide and moved to Alberton in 2005.
He said potential interest from AFL clubs made the chance too good to miss.
“When I went back to Adelaide, I realised I had an opportunity with a couple of AFL clubs, that said go and play some senior footy in the SANFL and we will look at you as a mature-aged rookie,” Merrett said.
“I thought I cannot wait any longer, so I will go.
“I did all the pre-season and every extra training I could.
“I lost 12 kilos and was as fit as I had ever been.”
Despite pushing the boundaries off the field with coaches, personal trainers, boxers and nutritionists, Merrett said tragedy struck yet again in his first game back.
“I was named emergency in the first game and played in the Reserves,” he said.
“But just after half time I broke my leg, so that was another nine weeks on the sidelines.”
A determined Merrett earned a recall into the senior side, but sickness almost meant one the highlights of his career did not happen.
“I was so focused on playing footy and did everything I could to get back,” he said.
“I played Reserves in the finals before being picked at centre half back in the senior’s preliminary final against the Eagles at the Adelaide Oval.
“I actually got food poisoning beforehand and was crook in bed all weekend.
“I needed some glucose shots in the guts from the doctor to get me through the game.
“The game was in front of one the bigger crowds I have experienced, but I kept the top forward who dominated all year goalless.
“He got dragged at three-quarter time, but we lost by 60 points.”
Despite showing strong form in the city, Merrett missed the country life and returned to Penola.
He served as assistant coach for the Eagles across a two-year period before he craved a maiden taste of Western Border football.
Searching for a fresh perspective on the game, Merrett was a playing coach for West Gambier in 2008.
After a single season in the Blue Lake city, he returned to his traditional home.
However, the long-time defender found himself switching to the other end of the ground as Penola went through a period of transition.
Merrett said he did not see the move coming.
“I never thought I would be a full forward, but I was always a backman who kicked a lot of goals,” he said.
“Around 2010, the Eagles did not have a forward, so I put my hand up and had a go.”
The switch was a breath of fresh air for Merrett, who enjoyed a purple patch of his career with 262 goals in seasons 2013 and 14 alone.
At the height of this golden run, Merrett recalls a special day in his first year of coaching Penola.
“When we played Naracoorte, I needed 16 goals to get my 100th for the season,” he said.
“My brother and sister in law and kids turned up and they had not seen me play footy before.
“I saw them behind the goals was pretty nervous in front of them, so I missed three goals that I would normally kick.
“But I ended up kicking six at half time and lots of people started crowding around the goals.
“I ended up kicking 20 straight for the day, so that was pretty special with family members looking on.”
Later that season, a calf injury almost robbed Merrett of leading his team on grand final day, but he kicked eight goals en route to victory and his fortunes as a coach went from strength to strength.
He has since guided teams at interleague, zone and SA Country level.
Now at 37, “Hoggett” believes he is approaching the finish line of what has been an unforgettable football career.
“My playing days are all-but numbered,” he said.
“They are great memories and moments, but I might be more focused on my kids in the future.
“I just wanted to get through this season because I only have five games to get to 300 at Penola, so hopefully we get them this year and that might be me at stumps.”
