Trent Merrin on the bench is the selection that really excites me in the Australian team for the Test against New Zealand on Friday.
He’ll go out and kill it at Test level just like he has done all season for St George Illawarra in the NRL.
On one hand it seems strange to think that Merrin has already played 10 State of Origin games for NSW but it is only now that he will make his Test debut. But, on the other hand, his game has taken a big leap forward this season.
It is a shame for the Dragons that they will lose him to Penrith next season, but at least after turning their awful start to this season around they have the potential to achieve something significant before he goes.
Merrin was in fine form again when the Dragons beat Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day.
In the past, his weight has fluctuated and at times he couldn’t be as effective as he should have been, but he looks the fittest he has ever been this season.
He has gone from coming off the bench to becoming a regular starter and is playing big minutes and making big metres.
Combine that with his ability to either power his way through tackles or at least draw multiple defenders to himself, making that offload of his even more dangerous because of the possibility of holes opening up in the defence nearby, and you’ve got high quality.
Merrin is monstering the opposition on a weekly basis.
Against the Roosters, he played for 64 minutes and ran for 168 metres. That was way more metres than any other forward from either side made on the day.
The only other players on the field who got near him were the rival fullbacks – his teammate, Josh Dugan, and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – who ran for 143 and 154 metres respectively.
Players are often selected on the bench because of their ability to make an impact and perhaps change the course of the game with a big play.
You’ve obviously got to have your workers on the bench as well, but you need someone with the ability to have an influence on the outcome if they are available.
Merrin was capable of doing that from the bench, but the beauty of his game at the level it has gone to now is that he can be just as influential from the start of a match, when no-one is tired and the field just seems as if it is more crowded.
Merrin is 25. It might still be a year or two before he enters the best years of his football life. He is going to be one hell of a footballer when he reaches his peak, considering how well he is already playing.
Against the Kiwis, he will show that it won’t be long before he is a starter in the Australian side.
There is no shortage of veterans in the Australian forward pack. They will begin to disappear from the team soon.
Merrin’s selection is clearly part of the regeneration plan and the great thing about his inclusion is that the selectors and coach Tim Sheens wouldn’t have had to convince themselves about picking him.
He’s got a representative pedigree from Origin and his form is outstanding. They would have chosen him with confidence.
That said, looking at the Australian and New Zealand sides and comparing them to the teams that represented the two countries in last year’s Four Nations tournament, when the Kiwis won both clashes, including the final, we’ve got a genuine contest on our hands again.
The big plus for Australia is the return of five-eighth Johnathan Thurston, after he missed the Four Nations through injury.
Australia has a great record in the early-season Test and is playing at home, in Brisbane, so it is understandably favourite, but New Zealand is quite capable of winning.
Charles NSW
Guest
McGregor was a great centre for the Steelers and the Dragons. He comes from the same place where I coached football which is known for grooming players into representative level..You are correct in saying they are playing the best they can and it will hard to maintain that. The good thing is that the players are improving in every position so that will help. McGregor may be the coach of the year if he keeps going on the wins.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Charles - it's hard not to be impressed. Based on their last couple of seasons and their gains and losses it was looking like being a long season for the Dragons. He's got the team playing well, utilising his players well and showing a lot of heart. I've just watched 90s origin DVD and I'd forgotten how brilliant McGregor was so I'm right on the Mary bandwagon at the moment. The only caution I'd add is that the Dragons are playing high intensity footy and that can be hard to maintain over 26 weeks.
Tim
Guest
Moylan, Manosur,Peachey DWZ, and Mckendry have recently resigned so no upgrades for them as for brown he'll be getting resigned with a lot of players retiring and a lot coming off contract that's how we have the space in the cap for myles and merrin
Renegade
Guest
Haha cheers mate.... how about those Gal numbers!! Still leading the way at 34-35 ;)
Muzz
Guest
Just for Renegade. Gal - P 6 , T 197 , M 1296
Muzz
Guest
They're all contributing! Merrin - Played 8 , Tackles 275 , Metres1402 Cooper - Played 7 , Tackles 234 , Metres 893
The eye
Guest
One of those dragons is surely mike cooper..merrin got 175 with 22 tackles..Coops 155 with 48 tackles...very quietly achieving..
Charles NSW
Guest
Interesting to see that you have rated McGregor highly as a coach Barry. I am impressed too as he is really ticking all the boxes. What he has done with the Dragons is nothing but spectacular in such a short time
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don't know that he's taken his game to a new level - I think he's got it back to where it was a couple of years ago. He was playing big minutes with big impact about three or four years ago but has been off the boil for the past couple. Has he been injured? Surprised that this is his first test. Credit to McGregor. He's got him and his team mates fit and is utilising them in a way to get the most out of them. Benji's been awesome but how good could he have been if a coach like McGregor got hold of him at a younger age? He's playing with more control and composure than ever - and still capable of moments of brilliance.
The Prize_Man
Roar Pro
if there are no stand out wingers performing your better off selecting fullbacks and/or centres that are. i would rather dugan than johnston every day of the week. the way the game is played these days almost always teams just put their best back at fullback, doesnt mean that fullbacks cant play on the wing or centres.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Merrin deserves the Roos call up, his form has been terrific after coming back from injury.
Charles NSW
Guest
I disagree with that Walter! He has everything there to be a good winger, centre or fullback. He is one of those players that can adjust. In fullback he tends to get hurt more and feel his best position is centre.Trent Merrin deserves his test selection good on him!
The eye
Guest
Brent Kite would have cost a lot,Simmons,Docker,Plumb all finishing up this year for starters..
Casper
Guest
Merrin has earned every plaudit on potential at this stage of his career, and looks like he's finally starting to live up to it. Don't see any issue with him getting a bench spot ahead of guys like Gillett & Cordner on current form. who out of Thaiday, Bird or Parker would not be there if Gallen was available because he's a Sheens favorite? Based on the guys picked in the city-country sides, Cordner must be an automatic selection for NSW or he's had an almighty slide down the order. Interesting to see if the NRL looks at the Penrith books as closely as they did for the Storm, how is Gus going to fit Nate Myles into a team next year when he's already paying Merrin the crown jewels. Penrith have got past NZ test prop Sam Mckendry, current squad members Lewis Brown and Dallen Watene-Zelesniak, Mansour and Moylan who'll want upgrades, city rep's Tyrone Peachey & reserve Reagan Campbell-Gillard on the books so how does that work?
The eye
Guest
Doogs on Beast..smells like a season ending injury moments away..
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I can live with Dugan, you need a winger who will come inside for some hit-ups in the stages where your big boys are sucking in the big breaths. Plus he has a bit of mongrel which you need against a Kiwi side who are always very phisycal.
Muzz
Guest
I like Gal. I hope he's fit for SOO!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Just FYI...Gallen was 197 per game at 9.7 metres per run until he got injured during the round 6 match ;)
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Dugan is a very odd choice for winger.
Muzz
Guest
All run metres Merrin - 175 RTS - 171 Dugan - 153. There are a number of Dragons players that are in and around career best form. Merrin topping that list imo and worthy of his selection in the Kangaroo side. McGregor has his troops firing.