NEW Port Adelaide assistant coach and former Brisbane Lion Daniel Merrett can’t wait to arrive at Alberton in February.
The 200-game AFL player reignited his passion for football in 2017 when he accepted an assistant coaching position with Brisbane’s AFLW side, following his retirement.
“When I played at Brisbane, we hadn’t had much success,” Merrett said.
“So when I finished, I wasn’t having a great time and wasn’t enjoying my footy so I didn’t want anything to do with it.
“I was approached by (Brisbane senior coach) Craig Starcevich saying ‘there is a women's comp starting up, do you want to join?’ I wasn’t interested in staying involved in footy at first, but I got involved and it was literally the best thing I ever did. It brought the love back for footy.”
Father of two Merrett was born in Adelaide, before his family relocated to Queensland when he was just a toddler, while his wife Sarah is also an Adelaidean, with family still living in SA.
Merrett worked with the Lions women for four years (2017-2020), during a time where Port Adelaide coaches Lauren Arnell and Sam Virgo were both playing at the club.
“I had coached both Lauren and Sam, and I was speaking with Lauren last year and she was like ‘would you be interested in helping out?’” he said.
“I had been out of footy for a few years and I had a few jobs that just didn’t suit me. I thought I'd go back to something I love and I'm passionate about. In the end, it was like, ‘you know what? I want to get back into the AFL system’ and this was the perfect opportunity.
“I obviously really admire Port Adelaide as a footy club. Anyone I’ve spoken to, they’ve spoken glowingly about the club culture and how they’ve been welcomed into the club. It just felt right. I'm excited to get back into the AFL system and my role with AFLW just really suits me. I'm super, super pumped.”
When Merrett reflects on his time with Brisbane’s AFLW group, the excitement and appreciation the players had for playing at the top level was what made him love going to work.
“What I saw in the girls is they are just so passionate and they're just doing it because they love it,” he said.
“When I coached, that's what I felt from the players, and they're like sponges, so you get real bang for your buck. Whatever you can educate them about, they just soak it up and execute it on field.
“The other thing I love about the AFLW is there is still this rawness and personality about the players. There is a real joy about it.”
As for Port Adelaide’s promising young side, Merrett is keen to further develop players who are just beginning to make their mark on the competition.
“I have been watching a few of the games from last year so I’m pretty familiar (with the team),” Merrett said.
“There are some guns in the midfield. I'm really looking forward to working with those young emerging midfielders who are super talented. We have also drafted really well and there is so much growth in that space I’m excited to nurture.”
