Brisbane Lions veteran Daniel Merrett had a nightmare finish to his AFL career

DANIEL Merrett ended his AFL career in the worst way possible, and his coach came under fire for being the man responsible for it.

Merrett retired a Brisbane legend.

DANIEL Merrett, you poor bloke.

The veteran Brisbane Lions defender played his 200th and final AFL game in his side’s 103-161 loss to St Kilda in Melbourne on Sunday, and his exit from the footy arena could not have gone any worse.

The fullback had the unfortunate task of manning up on Saints captain Nick Riewoldt, who made the Lions' final game a miserable one. Riewoldt had 26 touches of the Sherrin, took 21 marks — three short of the all-time AFL record of 24 set by Brian Lake in 2007 and Greg Parke in 1970 — and kicked nine goals, the equal most he’s ever kicked in a match.

It was vintage Riewoldt, and he effectively ruined Merrett’s farewell.

Merrett’s had a tougher role than most at the underperforming Lions in recent years. The club narrowly avoided the wooden spoon this year with three wins from 22 games, only finishing ahead of Essendon on percentage.

Merrett couldn’t contain a rampaging Riewoldt.

They finished second last in 2015, 15th in 2014, 12th in 2013 and 13th in 2012. Playing as a backman on opposition teams’ key forwards during a period of consistently poor results can’t have been much fun for Merrett, but he won’t have to put up with any more heavy losses now his career his over.

But for some, that career should never have ended the way it did. Brisbane coach Justin Leppitsch’s face has been redder than Merrett’s hair during many a post-match press conference this year as constant speculation surrounding his future after such a poor record in his first three seasons in charge clearly got to him.

On Monday afternoon, that speculation came to an end when Brisbane sacked Leppitsch.

So as if he didn’t already have enough to worry about, he also came under fire from an AFL legend for his decision to play Merrett on Riewoldt in the first place. Speaking on Melbourne radio station SEN on Sunday, Former Essendon great Scott Lucas took aim at Leppitsch, saying it was “silly and disrespectful” of him to go ahead with the match-up in the retiring star’s final game.

Scott Lucas: It's silly and disrespectful for Leppa to put Merrett back on Riewoldt in his last game #AFLSaintsLions

— SEN 1116 (@SENNews) August 28, 2016

Moving Daniel Merrett onto a rampaging Riewoldt to finish his career is indicative of how poor a coach Leppitsch is. #AFLSaintsLions

— Peter McConnell (@McAlmanac) August 28, 2016

It’s easy to view the decision that way in hindsight. But Merrett’s role in the team has been to regularly defend on the opposition’s best forwards, and that’s what he was doing when he lined up against Riewoldt. Why should his job change just because it’s his final game?

We’re not sure whether Leppitsch spoke to Merrett about who he’d like to play on before the match, but if the 31-year-old couldn’t contain the St Kilda spearhead, who’s to say a less experienced defender would have done any better?

Of course, had he kept Riewoldt quiet in his final game, it would have been the perfect way to end his stellar career.

But, as Merrett cruelly realised, the sporting Gods don’t write fairytale scripts for everyone.

Speaking after the game, Leppitsch paid tribute to the one-club stalwart.

“I feel for ‘Rodge’. Your career sometimes is about luck (and) where you get pulled out (of the draft) and where you end up. You play in good teams and sometimes you don’t,’’ he said.

“Unfortunately for Rodge, he’s been a part of an era of our football club that hasn’t had a lot of success post the so-called glory days that people talk about.

“He’s had to carry the can through hard times and a lot of inside-50s against him and a lot of stress but he’s been such a trooper and got great care and empathy. People really respect him and love him.’’

TEARFUL FAREWELLS | Congrats to all the greats we have farewelled this week #GameDay https://t.co/Ro4acS9CWW

— AFL Game Day (@7aflgameday) August 28, 2016

Originally published as Brisbane Lions veteran Daniel Merrett had a nightmare finish to his AFL career