Thorold Merrett
| Thorold Merrett | |||
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| Personal information | |||
| Original team(s) | Cobden | ||
| Debut | 1950, Collingwood | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
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Collingwood (1950-1960) 180 games, 148 goals | |||
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1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2006. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
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| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Thorold Merrett (born September 30, 1933) is a former Australian rules footballer, who played in the VFL/AFL.
From Victorian town Cobden, Merrett was a small sized footballer who was a keen Richmond fan who wanted to play league football for his beloved side. At 16 years of age, Merrett was rejected by legend Jack Dyer with his light frame the problem, but he was given another opportunity at Victoria Park, where he stood out in a set of practice games for Collingwood just before the 1950 season. Despite initially thought by followers and players that he would be 'killed' because of his size (168cm, 59kg).
He made his debut in 1950 for the black and white and his main asset, his left foot, would open a door of success. At the age of 16 he was one of the youngest players to debut in VFL/AFL. Merrett played as a wingmen and established a great ammount of respect as his lethal kick, (which was mastered in unique fashion, as he practised at his farm as a kid kicking stab passes through a tyre swing) made him one of the best players in the competition, and to add to that, his small stature made it unbelievable to see the success as a league footballer. In 1952, Merret polled his way to equal 6th in the Brownlow Medal, All-Australian selection and a top 3 finish in the Copeland Trophy. A year later would finish in the top 10 once more in the Brownlow Medal and would celebrate the 1953 premiership with the Magpies. Merrett was named in the best in the Grand Final.
In years to follow, Merrett would consistently perform and he would continue to be regarded as one of the best kicks in the league, as well as one of the best wingmen, and he would play in two more losing Grand Finals in years 1955-56 (he also played in the 1952 losing side. In 1958, Merrett would change roles to become a rover, and it would work a success as he won his way to his first Copeland Trophy. It was a special win because it saw the Pies win the 1958 flag, with Merrett being named best on ground. In 1959, Merrett would once again star as a rover, winning a second consecutive best and fairest, and would finish top 10 in the Brownlow Medal for a third time in his career, (he ended up with 77 career Brownlow votes).
A second broken leg in 1960 would see Merrett miss most of the season, and aged 26, he would retire prematurely, with him feeling his best football was past. Merrett would play 180 games in 11 seasons, as well as kicking 148 goals. He would also be a dual best and fairest and premiership player, All-Australian, and Victorian representative on seven occassions. In 1996 he would be included in the Collingwood Football Club Hall of Fame and Team of the Century, on the wing.