STANDING still doesn’t sit well with Zach Merrett.
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The Essendon footballer produced a career-best season in 2016, winning the Bombers’ best and fairest, making the initial All-Australian squad and finishing equal 10th in the Brownlow Medal.
But the Cobden export didn’t reach those feats by chance and is already planning to better himself next season.
Merrett, 20, will use a trip to America with Essendon teammates Joe Daniher and Orazio Fantasia to launch his pre-season campaign.
Visits to US colleges, including the world-renowned UCLA, and the Nike Centre are on his itinerary.
“Everyone was planning their holidays and I was sort of looking to get a training camp in somewhere, so I starting putting it together,” Merrett said during a visit to Warrnambool on Friday.
“It will be bit of a holiday but a bit of a training camp as well, to get that bit of an edge again next year and make sure I don’t stop still.
“We’re also taking a personal trainer with us from the club, so hopefully he’ll be a good person to bounce ideas off.”
Merrett was the Bombers’ shining light in a bleak season, elevating himself as one of the competition’s elite ball winners as he belied his years to fill the void of his drug saga-suspended teammates.
He played all 22 games – for a career total of 59 across his first three seasons – and averaged 29.9 disposals.
“I didn’t want to put a ceiling on my season as far as where it was going,” Merrett said.
“It was just about development and learning as much possible. It was trying to be the best player I could be as soon as possible and I guess (I am) a bit impatient and in a bit of a rush.
“I am very jealous watching other teams play in the finals, especially this weekend.
“I will go to the game and just have a look and see what the grand final is all about.
“Just in case we are to make it in the next couple of years, it would be good to see it first-hand.”
Merrett returned to the scene of his last Hampden league game – Cobden’s 2012 senior grand final loss to Warrnambool – on Friday, signing autographs at Reid Oval as part of a free football festival.
“I used to come to these days and see Jordan Lewis and other locals, but to come back as one of the AFL players and takes photos, sign autographs and look at the smiles on the kids’ faces is something pretty special and something I will hold close to my heart,” he said.
“I certainly remember the Geelong boys coming down and doing the country visits and getting a photo with Paul Chapman and Jimmy Bartel.
“Being able to play with Paul and then play against Jimmy has been a real highlight of my career so far.”
Merrett remains connected to his his home club Cobden, watching its progress from afar with interest, and enjoys friendly banter with Koroit export Martin Gleeson, who was home to watch the Saints win their third straight premiership last weekend.
“I definitely still keep in touch with the scores each weekend,” Merrett said.
“I think Henry Robertson and Paul Foster did a great job in encouraging youth...so hopefully they can play some finals with Joe Dare coming back next year.”