PENOLA and the Limestone Coast will be well represented again at the State Country football level, with Adam Merrett announced as coach of the South Australian Country side.
Merrett has been assistant coach for the last two years and applied for the top position when it became vacant for this year.
The side will face WA Country over in Perth in front of a big crowd as a curtain-raiser for the AFL clash between West Coast and North Melbourne on July 27.
Merrett said he was pleased to be given the chance to take on the role.
“It is good to step up to have a go,” he said.
“You only get two years to have a crack at it and then move on, that is their process.
“I have done my time, ticked the boxes at club level, interleague and Zone, then assistant coach for two years.
“There is a bit of process they have gone with over the years, so you still have to apply and get accepted.
“I had to go through the interview process and was lucky enough to get the nod.”
Merrett said he accepted he was in the twilight of his playing career, with this opportunity the ideal springboard to take his coaching to the next level.
“Coaching is something I am pretty passionate about,” he said.
“It is all about timing, with your family, your work commitments.
“Rep coaching is not quite as involved – it is more intense for a short period, not a full season.
“I’m not saying I won’t coach again at club level, but I enjoy coaching Zone, with the young blokes you meet, the friendships you make.
“You give them the chance to have a crack and they step up.”
Merrett said that experience was magnified at State level, with a wider variety of players from different zones.
He said representative football was something he was passionate about.
“I think rep footy is something everyone should have a crack at,” he said.
“If you are a good player at the country level, you should put your hand up and have a crack, to rub shoulders with the best footballers you can.”
While Merrett said it was an enjoyable experience, he also said as a coach, the pressure was on.
“You do get pressure from the SANFL ranks who are looking after the affiliated country leagues,” he said.
“They are pretty proud and passionate about it.
“They have only lost one game against WA in eight or nine years and the games have always been good contests.”
The squad will be chosen after the Interleague and Zone carnivals.
It is then up to Merrett to bring the team together in a short period of time.
However, he said that was one of the more enjoyable parts of the job.
“I think it is all about the work leading up to the game,” Merrett said.
“You only have a few weeks to meet and bring the team together, then you have 48 hours together before the game.
“Once you get together you have to back their natural ability.
“You just go with your gut feeling, go with your heart and head and hope the players jump on board.
“You have to have a good relationship with the players, which you have to build as quick as you can.”
Merrett said there were many players in the region who were capable of playing at the State level.
He said it was important for those players to stand up at the representative levels to give themselves the best chance of selection.
The big deal this year is the chance to play at the new Optus Stadium, rather than at a stand-alone event or at a West Australian Football League game.
“It is the first time we have been able to do it (at an AFL game) in Perth,” Merrett said.
