Essendon star Zach Merrett wants to kick more goals in 2019 to take his game to the next level
Zach Merrett is one of the game’s premier midfielders but the Essendon star is always looking to improve his game and he’s got his sights set on kicking more goals next year to help the Bombers break their finals drought.
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Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett says he needs to hit the scoreboard harder to become a more well-rounded and damaging midfielder next season.
But the ball magnet bristled at suggestions he struggled with a tag and says he is looking forward to any heavy attention which comes his way next year.
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Spearhead Joe Daniher completed some individual running at training on Monday as he recovers from a groin problem, while new recruit Dylan Shiel showed up early for preseason work.
Merrett, 23, is one of the game’s best midfielders but the ball magnet was blunt about the need to boost his goal returns in 2019.
He kicked five goals last season, and has 25 majors over the past four years.
“I think I need to kick more goals, and have more impact going forward,” Merrett said.
“It is not all defined by numbers and goals, but about encouraging my teammates to go forward as well.”
Merrett’s early form mirrored the Bombers’ slow start last season, as he was kept to 17 possessions or less four times in the first seven rounds.
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The 103-gamer was concussed in Round 1.
The Sandringham product said 2018 was a big learning curve, and was plotting to spend more time outside the centre square to help the team register its first finals win since 2004.
“It was a lot about learning off playing on some really good players, especially Ed Curnow, I think was someone that challenged me pretty hard,” he said.
“I was able to learn a lot around playing more minutes outside of the midfield because I think it is easy to get stuck in there and get possessions.
“But for me and the club moving forward I think I will have to play more outside the centre bounce, and have more impact as a leader as well.”
But Merrett said the commentary that he had struggled with a heavy tag was wide of the mark.
“No, it (being tagged) wasn’t (difficult),” he said.
“It was written about a fair bit, which was quite funny.
“It is an exciting challenge. I love going out and playing on the best players, and the fact that opposition players will do their plans during the week to stop me individually is exciting.
“If that means I can help my teammates more, that’s what it is about.”
Merrett said he completed a leadership course along with Daniher in London in the off-season, alongside some other AFL coaching and high performance staff.
Daniher does not yet have a time frame for a return to full training but is gradually stepping up his workload in preparation for a Round 1 return.
Merrett said Shiel, who also completed some light running away from the main group, could add another dynamic weapon inside the centre square.
“He is a really explosive player obviously, and his work in the centre bounce is something we certainly highlighted when we played the Giants in previous years,” he said.
“So to be able to add that to our system will be a great deal for us and hopefully it will help improve our centre bounce work and clearance work.
“But I think his ability to kick goals and go forward has been pretty special as well.”
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