Thorold Merrett
Encyclopedia
Thorold Merrett is a former Australian rules football
er, who played in the Victorian Football League
, (VFL).
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. It was initially thought by followers and players that he would be 'killed' because of his size (168 cm, 59 kg).
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
. Merrett played as a wingman and established a great amount 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 his success as a league footballer. In 1952, Merrett polled his way to equal sixth in the Brownlow Medal
, All-Australian selection and a top three finish in the Copeland Trophy
. A year later he finished in the top 10 once more in the Brownlow Medal
and celebrated the 1953 premiership with the Magpies. Merrett was named in the best in the Grand Final
.
In years that followed, Merrett performed consistently and he continued to be regarded as one of the best kicks in the league, as well as one of the best wingmen. He played in two more losing Grand Finals
in 1955-56 (he also played in the 1952 losing side). In 1958, Merrett changed roles to become a rover, and it succeeded. He won the Best and Fairest
. It was a special win because the Pies also won the 1958 flag, with Merrett being named best on ground. In 1959, Merrett again starred as a rover, winning a second consecutive Best and Fairest
, and finished in the 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 saw Merrett miss most of the season and, aged 26, he retired prematurely, feeling his best football was past. Merrett played 180 games in 11 seasons and kicked 148 goals. He was also a dual Best and Fairest and premiership player, All-Australian, and Victorian representative on seven occasions. In 1997 he was included in the Collingwood Football Club
Hall of Fame and Team of the Century, on the wing.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er, who played in the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
, (VFL).
From Victorian town Cobden, Merrett was a small sized footballer who was a keen Richmond
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
fan who wanted to play league football for his beloved side. At 16 years of age, Merrett was rejected by legend Jack Dyer
Jack Dyer
John Raymond Dyer Sr. OAM , always known as Jack Dyer, was one of the colossal figures of Australian rules football during two distinct careers, firstly as a player and coach of the Richmond Football Club in the Victorian Football League between 1931 and 1952, and later in the broadcast media for...
with his light frame the problem, but he was given another opportunity at Victoria Park
Victoria Park, Melbourne
Victoria Park is a sports venue in Abbotsford a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Built for the purpose of both Australian rules football and cricket, the stadium is oval shaped....
, where he stood out in a set of practice games for Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
just before the 1950 season. It was initially thought by followers and players that he would be 'killed' because of his size (168 cm, 59 kg).
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
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
. Merrett played as a wingman and established a great amount 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 his success as a league footballer. In 1952, Merrett polled his way to equal sixth in the Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
, All-Australian selection and a top three finish in the Copeland Trophy
Copeland Trophy
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
. A year later he finished in the top 10 once more in the Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
and celebrated the 1953 premiership with the Magpies. Merrett was named in the best in the Grand Final
AFL Grand Final
The AFL Grand Final is an annual Australian rules football match, traditionally held on the final Saturday in September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia to determine the Australian Football League premiership champions for that year...
.
In years that followed, Merrett performed consistently and he continued to be regarded as one of the best kicks in the league, as well as one of the best wingmen. He played in two more losing Grand Finals
AFL Grand Final
The AFL Grand Final is an annual Australian rules football match, traditionally held on the final Saturday in September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia to determine the Australian Football League premiership champions for that year...
in 1955-56 (he also played in the 1952 losing side). In 1958, Merrett changed roles to become a rover, and it succeeded. He won the Best and Fairest
Copeland Trophy
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
. It was a special win because the Pies also won the 1958 flag, with Merrett being named best on ground. In 1959, Merrett again starred as a rover, winning a second consecutive Best and Fairest
Copeland Trophy
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
, and finished in the 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 saw Merrett miss most of the season and, aged 26, he retired prematurely, feeling his best football was past. Merrett played 180 games in 11 seasons and kicked 148 goals. He was also a dual Best and Fairest and premiership player, All-Australian, and Victorian representative on seven occasions. In 1997 he was included in the Collingwood Football Club
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
Hall of Fame and Team of the Century, on the wing.