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http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...r-nathan-merritt/story-e6frexnr-1226114838316
Streaking away: Nathan Merritt. Source: Getty Images
EIGHT tries in six days - this is the simple statistic Nathan Merritt has produced to not only keep South Sydney in the NRL finals' race, but put him in line for his first-ever Four Nations call-up.
That was the view of South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson, who said it would be an injustice if Nathan Merritt was denied a Kangaroos jumper at season's end.
Merritt backed up his five tries last Monday with another hat-trick in the nation's capital yesterday to move to 21 touchdowns for the season and all but wrap up the leading try-scorer gong. But Richardson went one further by calling for his consistent fullback to finally receive higher honours, especially on the back of his red-hot form for the rejuvenated Rabbitohs.
"He was the leading tryscorer in an NRL team that finished with the wooden spoon [in 2006] and he couldn't make State of Origin, and he couldn't win winger of the year," Richardson said.
"I don't get it. His form has been outstanding, he can play fullback or wing, his attitude is great ... what does he have to do?
"He's scored how many tries? I've actually lost count. Everyone is going on about Brisbane's (Jharal) Yow Yeh, who is a good player, but Yow Yeh hasn't played as long as Merritt has, he certainly hasn't scored as many tries, and he certainly hasn't been in sides that have been losing - Nathan Merritt certainly deserves his opportunity."
Merritt, 28, roared to life in the second half with tries in the 50th and 54th minutes. He could have had a third minutes later when he made a break and passed for Chris Sandow, who was crunched by opposing fullback Josh Dugan.
But Merritt made sure he completed the hat-trick in the 72nd minute when he latched on to a beautifully-timed chip from John Sutton.
To cap his memorable afternoon, he put through a grubber and regathered for himself before he threw the final pass for Chris McQueen for the last try.
Nursing a fat lip, Merritt could not recall a better six days in his underrated league career. According to Fox Sports Stats, only former Canberra flyer Brett Mullins was able to rack up eight tries in successive games, way back in rounds 17 and 18 in 1994, when Merritt was just 11 years old. "It's great we're winning, I'm scoring a few tries so I'm enjoying the moment," Merritt said.
"I'm not finding the line easy, I'm just trying to put myself in the right position at the right time. It's a matter of me popping up whenever I'm needed."
Merritt said the shift to fullback - at the expense of retiring No.1 Rhys Wesser - had given him plenty of room to roam.
He has thrived in attack but been just as impressive in defence, preventing a certain Josh McCrone four-pointer.
- Christian Nicolussi
- From: The Daily Telegraph
- August 15, 2011 12:00AM
Streaking away: Nathan Merritt. Source: Getty Images
EIGHT tries in six days - this is the simple statistic Nathan Merritt has produced to not only keep South Sydney in the NRL finals' race, but put him in line for his first-ever Four Nations call-up.
That was the view of South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson, who said it would be an injustice if Nathan Merritt was denied a Kangaroos jumper at season's end.
Merritt backed up his five tries last Monday with another hat-trick in the nation's capital yesterday to move to 21 touchdowns for the season and all but wrap up the leading try-scorer gong. But Richardson went one further by calling for his consistent fullback to finally receive higher honours, especially on the back of his red-hot form for the rejuvenated Rabbitohs.
"He was the leading tryscorer in an NRL team that finished with the wooden spoon [in 2006] and he couldn't make State of Origin, and he couldn't win winger of the year," Richardson said.
"I don't get it. His form has been outstanding, he can play fullback or wing, his attitude is great ... what does he have to do?
"He's scored how many tries? I've actually lost count. Everyone is going on about Brisbane's (Jharal) Yow Yeh, who is a good player, but Yow Yeh hasn't played as long as Merritt has, he certainly hasn't scored as many tries, and he certainly hasn't been in sides that have been losing - Nathan Merritt certainly deserves his opportunity."
Merritt, 28, roared to life in the second half with tries in the 50th and 54th minutes. He could have had a third minutes later when he made a break and passed for Chris Sandow, who was crunched by opposing fullback Josh Dugan.
But Merritt made sure he completed the hat-trick in the 72nd minute when he latched on to a beautifully-timed chip from John Sutton.
To cap his memorable afternoon, he put through a grubber and regathered for himself before he threw the final pass for Chris McQueen for the last try.
Nursing a fat lip, Merritt could not recall a better six days in his underrated league career. According to Fox Sports Stats, only former Canberra flyer Brett Mullins was able to rack up eight tries in successive games, way back in rounds 17 and 18 in 1994, when Merritt was just 11 years old. "It's great we're winning, I'm scoring a few tries so I'm enjoying the moment," Merritt said.
"I'm not finding the line easy, I'm just trying to put myself in the right position at the right time. It's a matter of me popping up whenever I'm needed."
Merritt said the shift to fullback - at the expense of retiring No.1 Rhys Wesser - had given him plenty of room to roam.
He has thrived in attack but been just as impressive in defence, preventing a certain Josh McCrone four-pointer.
