Merrett, 23, will play his 50^th AFL game on Thursday night when the bottom-placed Bombers take on West Coast at Domain Stadium.

The former Geelong Falcon has forced his way into the Bombers’ line-up after finding form in the VFL.

His 50^th match – a milestone reached a fortnight after his younger brother Zach – will be his fourth in succession after earning a senior recall.

Robertson, who has known the brothers since they were kids, said Merrett had the attributes, such as height, clean skills and speed, to be a long-term player for Essendon.

He’s played a combination of wing and forward during his five years in the AFL system.

“I think it (having to earn his spot) is giving him a drive to really succeed there now and he knows he wants to play at senior level and what he has to do to stay there,” he said.

“He’s a long-term player and his type of football I think will complement the influx of (Court of Arbitration) suspended players next year.

“He is more of an outside player with great skills and running capacity and with better players around him, he’ll take his game to another level.”

Merrett landed at Essendon via pick 31 in the 2011 national draft. 

He made his senior debut in round 23 the following year.

The injury-ravaged Essendon has won one match this season and looks poised to collect the wooden spoon and coveted number one draft pick.