The ‘animal’ who gave Trent Merrin five stitches in training bloodbath
Welcome back to the NRL, Trent Merrin. The former Origin and Kangaroos forward was hit by a missile during a heated Dragons training session.
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If Trent Merrin needed any reminding that he had returned to the NRL it came last week and resulted in a black eye and five stitches.
The 30-year-old St George Illawarra forward is still celebrating his comeback to the club he won a premiership at in 2010. His joy, strangely, was exacerbated by the heavy shot he received from his former Panthers teammate Tyrell Fuimaono who has joined him at the Dragons.
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“We’ve been physical at training and he got me a beauty,” said Merrin, who is still sporting the bruise over his right eye lid. “It shows the intensity we’ve been training at. It was a tough session. The boys were ripping in. Tyrell is an animal. He is a hundred miles an hour. I felt him coming.
“It made me feel great. Coping a whack like that, you’re giving it a crack. It actually felt good to cop one.”
While Merrin was relishing the contact he has not been shirking his duties on the training paddock. He has dropped about six kilograms – weighing 98kgs.
“I’ve been ripping into training,” Merrin said. “It’s more a mental thing. Just being mentally free and being home. Being comfortable but in a professional way. It’s a breath of fresh air to be back where we are. It was a tough year last year but just that mental stress being away from it.
“It’s happiness now.”
Merrin will play his first game for the Dragons since leaving them for Penrith at the end of 2015. Despite a stint in England last year, Merrin had always wanted to finish his career at the club he made his debut at in 2009.
Merrin said he has been envisioning what it will be like when he gets to run out for the club again.
“When I walk out onto the field sometimes I have a look around and it gives me goosebumps and some good memories,” Merrin said. “I want to get this club back to where I know it can be. I want to finish my career on a high. I know I have so much more in the tank
“I’ve been on a rollercoaster the last few years but I’ve found home. I know I can add so much to the team. It’s refuelled me. When you start your career you always have your individual goals to reach, now being away from it all it’s all about the team and getting this club to some glory again.”