The former Essendon wingman claimed the Tuckey Medal on Saturday night after a standout season for the Mandurah-based club.

Merrett won from ex-Carlton player Josh Bootsma.

Peel Thunder finished winless at the foot of the WAFL ladder in 2020 after a condensed eight-game home-and-away season brought on by the coronarvirus pandemic.

South Fremantle won the premiership last weekend after beating Claremont in a thriller.

Merrett, who moved west after his 56-game AFL career ended, averaged 22 disposals a game for Peel Thunder which was without its Fremantle alignment due to COVID-19 restrictions which impacted state leagues.

His season-best effort was 31 disposals and 11 marks against West Perth.

Merrett, when speaking to The Standard in May, said it was pleasing the WAFL would play, even in a shortened format, despite unusual circumstances.

"It is something to read in the papers and something to take your mind off what's going on in the world," he said.

"Sport plays a big part in that...especially in small country towns and communities. Peel, being about 45 minutes to an hour away from Perth, means it's almost a big country town itself and it plays a big part in the community."