FORMER Penola resident Matt Merrett was recognised as the leading development player in the Adelaide Crows’ SANFL side last Thursday night, when he received the Dean Bailey award at the club’s 2019 presentations.
The home-grown talent made his debut with the Crows this season following a stint at Glenelg and has since established himself as a driving force in the backline.
Merrett was surprised to receive the Dean Bailey award, which is presented to the best development player of the season.
“To be honest I went along Thursday night and did not actually know we had an award for our development squad,” he said.
“It was a bit of a surprise.”
Alongside veteran Andy Otten, Merrett soon became a leading figure down back.
However, the 25 year old said it was a title which he was not looking for, but gained through necessity.
“It was more by default to be honest – the guys who were playing down back with us were pretty much all first year draftees,” Merrett said.
“They are very good footballers, but had not played much senior football.
“It was just more about helping them know where to be.
“They are much better footballers than I am and once they sort of got their heads around a few little things, they really come on which was great to see.”
Merrett joined the Crows’ development squad at the start of 2019 with brothers Brad and Scott and since then has been exposed to the magnitude of the Adelaide Football Club operation.
“It actually works really well with work and the study I have,” he said.
“Training is just around the corner from where I work, so first year in and it was a very well run program.
“I am very lucky to be a part of it.
“Their development and what they can give us as players just in resources and things like that is quite amazing.”
The dream of any footballer is to play for their favourite club and as an Adelaide fan, Merrett has made that wish a reality.
“Before I even started I had been an Adelaide Crows fan for years, way back from when Nan got me onto them when they first came in,” he said.
“To not just be involved with them, but to be able to play with them – I do not think it gets any better.”
He said to be able to watch the young players in the squad develop and potentially move up to bigger things is something he looks forward to.
While the Crows fell short in the preliminary final against eventual 2019 premier Glenelg, there was plenty of highlights for the side, which won just a single game in 2018.
Merrett played 18 games for the season, which was more than any other development player and four more than fellow South East talent Millicent’s Tom Hutchesson, who appeared in 14.
From those 18 matches he averaged almost 14 disposals, five marks and two rebound 50’s per game.
During that time he also played with big-name Adelaide Crows, such as Eddie Betts, Bryce Gibbs and Sam Jacobs.
“It was an unbelievable experience,” Merrett said.
“Those guys are extremely grounded and they understand the better we were as a squad, the better they would play.
“Their approach coming back was first class.
“They were never too busy to have a chat and really be a part of the team, which I guess surprised me in one way.
“You would have thought they would come back and be focused on playing well and getting back up to the top level, but it was actually a really team-first approach right across the board, which was amazing to be a part of.”
Looking forward Merrett said he will continue to “take it as it comes” and is excited for what the future holds.
“I will sit back over the next four or five weeks and work out what I want to do next year in terms of playing,” he said.
“I will probably be back with the Crows at this stage – I think they are keen to have me back so it is hard to say n
