Merrett keeps busy as AFL draft nears

ZACH Merrett has two reasons to wake up nervous on Thursday morning.

The countdown to the AFL national draft will have whittled down to hours and the anticipation surrounding his football future amplified.

Merrett wanted to keep his "mind occupied" on draft day.

The Cobden teenager found a way to do it too - he booked his drivers' licence test in Colac.

In his downtime he will watch the opening day's play of the Ashes series - which is just another reason to get nervous.

Merrett is a multi-talented sportsman.

And like many before him he had to make a choice between football and cricket.

Merrett played cricket for Victoria at under 13 and under 15 level, narrowly missed the cut for the under 17 state side and represented Western Waves at the state championships five times.

He is a talented batsman and averaged 49.8 for Melbourne Grammar in his year 12 season.

But he had a burning desire to play football and follow older brother Jackson - an Essendon wingman - into the AFL system.

"It was probably the end of year 10. I'd seen myself more as a footballer and, although I didn't tell anyone, I think I consciously chose that path," Merrett said.

"I thought I'd go down that path and have a crack this year.

"I was at Melbourne Grammar for three years and the first year cricket was prominent and then the second year footy took over. This year footy was my main sport."

Merrett was invited to train with Geelong Falcons and push for a spot on their 2012 TAC Cup list but travel commitments made it too hard.

It meant he only played one TAC Cup season as top-age player.

But his strong midfield performances for Sandringham Dragons and then Vic Country at the AFL under 18 national championships this year saw his draft calculations soar.

"I was pretty nervous about that (playing one season). A few people said 'don't worry about it' and a few people said 'you might be a bit late'," Merrett said.

"I tried to make the most of the opportunities I got when I first got (to Sandringham) but I guess it did cross my mind a few times.

"When I rocked up to training for the first time I didn't know anyone except for a few of my mates from school, so it was pretty nerve-racking and I didn't know if I'd fit in well but overall it didn't hinder my chances at all, not playing bottom age."

Merrett had to cram in school cricket and football commitments, as well as TAC Cup and the under 18 national championships, into his final VCE year.

His Sandringham Dragons' debut was one day after his cricket season finished.

"Adrenaline helped the fatigue a bit because I was so excited to play," Merrett said.

Merrett enjoyed a strong season at all levels.

He wanted to be a draft chance so he set small goals at the start of the season and ticked each of them off.

"Overall my goal was to be drafted and be in this position," he said.

"I broke it down into making certain squads and certain teams and playing certain games; little goals which have hopefully helped me get to this point in time.

"The only disappointing part was not making finals with Dragons.

"It would have been lovely to finish off a great year with the boys I made friends with."

Merrett knew it would be a tough choice to play for Sandringham, rather than Geelong where his brother played before he was drafted in 2011.

"I had mates at school at Dragons who I could train with and have dinner with," he said.

"It was probably the most fun time I had and I grew some good relationships with the Dragons boys.

"It helped a lot as well. I could trust them around the footy and know they'd pass to me and I'd pass to them."

Merrett shone for Vic Country - his decision-making a highlight.

"I loved the professionalism of the system. Obviously school's not as professional but then TAC is very professional and prepares you well but Vic Country was just another level again," he said.

"Everything was done so well - the medicals, the recoveries, the meetings.

"It was a good learning curve to play against the best players from other states."

Former Cobden coach Wayne Robertson saw something special in Merrett.

Robertson was eager to see Merrett on an TAC Cup list and spoke to Sandringham Dragons talent manager Ryan O'Connor at the start of the season.

Merrett made his Hampden league senior debut under Robertson in 2012 and was one of the 'Baby Bombers' to play in the senior grand final loss to Warrnambool.

Robertson said Merrett had a "deadly left foot" and "freakish goal sense", along with speed and strong tackling intensity.

But Robertson said his star pupil took his game to another level this year and still had "enormous upside".

Merrett's football smarts were on show for Vic Country - he accumulated the ball in close and used his quick hands to set up running team mates.

"Last year he was predominately an outside player but he adjusted his game this year and in Vic Country games he got in close," Robertson said.

"His contested football has become one of the strongest points of his game.

"I certainly hope he gets to where he wants to. He's been very committed this year and very disciplined."

Merrett knew he needed to develop his contested ball work and now believes he's become a more-rounded footballer.

"I was a real inside player and loved getting the hard ball and then I got concussed when I was about 10 in my first game of the year," he said.

"I was probably a bit timid for the next four or five years and more of an outside player who really worked around getting goals.

"But I think my confidence has grown a bit from playing seniors and knowing that I can handle bigger bodies around the contest.

"Confidence more than anything has improved my inside game but obviously there is still a long way to go.

"I'd like to get my numbers up to 50-50 for contested and uncontested. They are about 66-33 at the moment."

Merrett uses his older brother as a sounding board.

Watching Jackson play for the Bombers in front of parochial crowds has spurred him on.

"It's been pretty good to watch him grow in his confidence and it'd be amazing to be in the same position he is," Merrett said.

"He's done well so far so hopefully I can do a similar thing.

"I have wanted to play for Australia or play AFL so having been like that since you started walking it would mean a lot.

"I have always admired footballers and to be one of them would be a pretty special feeling."

That's the second of two tests Merrett wants to pass next week.

justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au