Merrett back in action

The 16-year-old revealed the red-and-black faithful will have more opportunities to see him in action as the Bombers strive to cement their top-five position.

The start of school holidays allowed Merrett, a Melbourne Grammar School student, to play a role in Saturday's triumph against North Warrnambool Eagles.

He'll play again, pending selection, against Koroit in a fortnight and potentially after the Associated Private Schools (APS) season wraps up on August 4.

Merrett has a cricket scholarship at MGS and has just started trials for the Victorian under 17 side.

His cricket commitments will step up when he returns to Melbourne, handing the versatile sportsman a tricky training schedule.

"I'm playing footy at the minute, and cricket will take over when I get back to school," he said.

"I'll have to juggle a bit of both training, not falling behind but hopefully I'll be able to do that."

Merrett said he relished playing just his second Hampden league game of the season, and the Bombers were glad to have him back.

He set up the first goal of the game, scored one himself and was handy, without being damaging, when he found the football.

The teenager, however, represented the difference between Cobden and North on Saturday speed through the middle of the ground.

"I was all right in the first half, but then the third quarter I went out of it a little bit and it was a bit hard to get back into the game," he said.

"We've got a young team, and a fast team. Our game style is run and carry, quick handballs, handball receives, which we did today."

Merrett said the physical test that Hampden football provides would hold him in good stead when he returns to APS football.

"It's a pretty high standard, most of (APS) is TAC Cup players at the private schools," he said.

"It's pretty quick but obviously not as physical as Hampden league seniors.

"It's not as quick as Hampden but definitely nowhere near as strong.

"Definitely coming back here you have to adjust to the bigger bodies and understand where you're going."

Cobden coach Wayne Robertson said he was pleased Merrett could feature in a win, after he played in a loss against Terang Mortlake. "He's a great kid, great talent, it's fantastic," he said.

"We fully support kids going away Zac's gone away for cricket but is playing firsts footy down there.

"He's a sensational user of the footy, very smart, very clean skills."

afawkes@standard.fairfax.com.au