Jackson Merrett coaches youthful East Point team in Ballarat

A former Essendon forward will coach for the first time this weekend in country footy but it won’t be smooth sailing early. Find out why.

Former AFL player Jackson Merrett will get more of a hands on experience than he’d like when he coaches East Point for the first time this weekend.

The East Point playing coach will lead the Ballarat league side into battle in his first official game after taking over from premiership winning coach Jake Bridges.

The Kangaroos face Melton South at Eastern Oval but the former Essendon forward won’t be available.

“I broke my wrist nine weeks ago and I just got good news on that this morning,” Merrett revealed.

“I’m out of the cast or the split now and start doing some rehab.

“I’m hoping to be back in three to four weeks, hopefully round 5 or 6 in the season.”

Jackson Merrett kicks a ball towards his forward half while playing for East Point last year. Picture: Adam Cornell

Merrett said the club has prepared him well for what is to come.

Last year, as a player, the midfielder got his first taste of being a coach, which prepared him for this year.

“I had really good exposure last year through the support and guidance of Jake Bridges,” he said.

“He gave myself and some of the assistants a good opportunity to run the majority of training sessions.

“I’m really looking forward to the season ahead and seeing how we go.”

Merrett inherits a youthful team who are looking to surprise opposition clubs this season.

Heading into the first match, East Point will use just 25 player point with many players home grown and under the age of 20.

This includes Greater Western Victoria Rebels players who have returned this weekend to play with the Coates League team having a bye.

East Point have 11 players involved in the team, which is the largest from any club.

“I’m optimistic with the group we’ve got,” Merrett said.

“We’ve got a number of talented and driven youngsters.

“We do (als0) have some really well established players who are at the top end talent of the competition that are around them to guide them and support them through it.”

Merrett said the focus in the off-season had been on developing a game plan to work both groups together.

Defence has also been a focus with the club having the third worst defensive record last year behind Melton South and Lake Wendouree, who finished in the bottom two.

East Point has made finals every year since 2017.

Jackson Merrett looks on as one of his teammates takes a mark. Picture: Adam Cornell

Merrett said the goal was to return again but stopped short of going any higher.

“I don’t want to set that expectation (premiership) and aim for a grand final and miss it and everyone is disappointed,” he said.

“It’s more around building the process and (building) to a strong game plan.

“If we stick to that process, win lose or draw we can come away knowing we can develop and improve week on week.”

The club is also wary of their opposition who lost by 161 points to Melton in Round 1.

“Melton South will come out hungry this weekend after the loss they copped last week,” Merrett said.

“They have some really good players across the board and I will be encouraging our team to respect them.

“I’d like to think we can have the win but we are sticking to the process.”

The game starts at 2.15pm on Saturday.