A CHAT with a sick young boy is one of many poignant moments Essendon footballer Zach Merrett will remember from an eye-opening visit to India.
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The Cobden teenager arrived home in the south-west yesterday after a 10-day trip with Bombers teammates Dyson Heppell, David Zaharakis and Joe Daniher as part of the club’s multicultural program.
They promoted AFL in schools and immersed themselves in Indian culture, enjoying the food and famous landmarks including the Taj Mahal, Eden Gardens and Kolkata stadium.
They saw the other side of India too — the gap between the rich and the poor, the slums and the despair.
Merrett, 19, said it was difficult watching people struggle.
“Seeing people in the streets and how they live, we take it (how we live) for granted in Australia,” he said.
“It is tough driving through and seeing the rich and poor ratio.”
Merrett said the trip — a rare opportunity for a first-year AFL player — was “confronting but enjoyable”.
The chance to visit schools and play football with the students gave him a sense of satisfaction.
“One school was more upper class and all the guys and girls had a go at footy and another school was more underprivileged and to meet those kids was special,” he said.
“I met one kid who was on crutches and had a viral disease.”
Merrett, fresh from a standout 20-game AFL debut season, said he was grateful Essendon offered him a spot on the overseas tour.
“I got called into a meeting one morning and I was pretty nervous to be honest because I thought I’d done something wrong,” he said.
“And one guy at the club put me up to go and I jumped at it.
“It is the first one they have done over there through the club so hopefully the relationship builds beyond here.
“The food was really nice and it was pretty hot and humid so it was good to get out of Melbourne and have some of that.”
Essendon’s first to fourth year players, which includes Merrett, his older brother Jackson and Koroit’s Martin Gleeson, will start pre-season training on November 5.
“I want to get my fitness up and going and get my body strong enough,” Merrett said.
“I’ve had a few chats with Hirdy (coach James Hird) about areas of my game I can improve on too.”
Merrett made big strides in his first season with the Bombers, playing as a midfield/forward.
His tackling skills and goalkicking ability earned him a regular place under interim coach Mark Thompson.
