Merritt did what you asked him to Reefy . . .

[blacktip-reefy]

Well I've seen all of their games.
Which games did he score those?
I think I can recall 1 & that was against us.
& that still doesn't mean he is rated as a winger.
Definitely far from a Grothe or Roberts Meli Blacklock.

 

[Sharkies all the Way]

Merrit is a good player, his attack has been good in previous times, his defence is the best out of our wingers, he can catch the high ball extremely safely but his hands are letting him down. IF it wasnt for this he would be 1st grade quality for sure. However, Riek is back soon and I think he will take his position as opposed to Simmons who is in great form.

 

[blacktip-reefy]

Merrit is a good player, his attack has been good in previous times, his defence is the best out of our wingers, he can catch the high ball extremely safely but his hands are letting him down.

1. On which game have you used to form this opinion of good or bad?
2. Why is his defense better than Simmons or Salehs who play on busier sides.
3.If he can't catch a pass, how can he be safe?

 

[Sharkies all the Way]

1. Do you regard him as a bad player? He hasnt done anything that bad so why would you class him as bad?
2. He unlike Simmons hasnt had in previous times a poor defensive record, his defence is relatively solid and this was highlighted by his TRY SAVING tackle on McDougal last night. About his defence in comparison to other wingers, I was only referring to our top grade wingers recently (ie Simmons, Riek and Merrit himself) so Saleh is not included in this judgement of mine
3. He is safe under the 'high ball', I did not say safe when it comes to holding passes. He use to be a full back so this would be one pre-requisite for this position. Additonally, I have seen him take many good catches off some tricky kicks, taking them with ease. Can you point out a catch from a kick he has stuffed up?

 

[blacktip-reefy]

On his current form he is downright awful. & he has lots of bad things since joining the Sharks. In fact, the bad out number the good , considerably.
Possibly the worst winger in the NRL.
he is touching the ball 5 times for 2 drops.
He is not involving himself & seems happy to continue that way.
His defense has not been tested except for the once, last night. He also has Vagana inside him to help.
Seems to me that people are happy to call him a good player because he didn't drop a kick & he pushed mcdougall into touch.
For mine, 2 very elementary winger plays.
& if you ask Souths people about Merrit, apparently he is not that good defensively.

 

[Sharkies all the Way]

I agree with you in some parts, however the worst winger in the NRL is a bit far.

 

[blacktip-reefy]

who is worse?
I even rate him behind wingers in our own club.

& I'm not saying this to be mean to the guy.
I really want him to aim up & succeed.
But if he doesn't have a go & get desperate to get the ball & get points, it's not going to happen & we will have a highly paid disinterested premier league full back on our hands.

 

[Sharkies all the Way]

Well yesterday he did venture in frequently to get the ball so that is being desperate for the ball and he did get some points.

 

[Dragon Slayer]

Merritt has offered us nothing so far.

He dropped two routine catches in extreme attacking opportunities last night.

I'm disappointed that he hardly goes looking for the ball as well.

Runs too much sideways. Take the opposition on and step son!

Having said all this he is not a lost cause and with a season under his belt at the Sharks he could repay us with huge dividends in the future.

The more I see of Simmons the more I am impressed.
Catches the ball on the full on kick returns like Peach and has a great turn of speed.

What about that catch he took from a pass at his boot laces and then continued a striking run down the flank cut back inside and Merritt dropped the ball cold.

I think he will excell at fullback if he gets shifted there next year.

I don't know why people say Merritt is a natural fullback.
His defence is a bit suspect.
He's a winger or nothing.

 

[Macca]

I stop looking once I see the ball travelling in Merrits direction.

That's obvious. You missed all the positive things he did last night.

Possibly the worst winger in the NRL.

Of the wingers playing first grade this week I'd rather have Merrit than these guys;

David Howell (Dragons)
Wes Tillott (Rabbitohs)
Shane Marteene (Rabbitohs) Even though he played in the centres, hi is usually on the wing.
Craig Hall (Knights)
Anthony Quinn (Knights)
Michael Robertson (Raiders)
Scott Donald (Sea Eagles)
Gavin Lester (Roosters)

And in the future I expect many more to join that list.

Merrit has improved every game and he will only get better.

 

[imasharkie]

The Merritt bashers on this forum need to open their eyes. He did stop one of the strongest opposition wingers in the comp from scoring in the corner. He does have the speed that countless on this forum reckon that Reick has, but never shows. Simmons has been caught out in defense so many times this year you can't keep a tally on it. Saleh only plays the first 10 minutes then goes through the motions. So he dropped the ball, are we going to drop Gallen for dropping it in the first minute as well? or Sullivan for dropping it and passing over the sideline? Merritt deserves a go without being bagged by would be's if they could be sideline narks like this imbecile Beekershark.

Merritt is a class player but unfortunatly Noddy is playing to well so BTR has to find another player to stick it up and unfortunatly Merritt is his target, I wonder who will be next in line when Merritt's fitness and a bit more knowledge of his team mates playing style comes to bear and he proves he is a 1st grader to BTR.

 

[King of the Hill]

The opinion that Merritt is underperforming drastically is not really a controversial opinion.

 

[Sharkies all the Way]

Its just another week at the office. We have had McGoldrick bashers - now he is one of our best, Simmons bashers - now he is one of our best, Peachey bashers - I wont even say why that is just stupid and even Kimmorley bashers. There are a number of other players who had been knocked and have proven those people wrong. Simply, Merrit aint that bad, and as every player in the entire comp has done before he will also make some mistakes etc etc. Just because he drops a ball or some other pety thing doesnt make him a s**thouse player all of a sudden! Similar faults were highlghted about Simmons and if many of you bashers had your way he would have been dropped, imagine how much we would have lost if that would occur. Whos going to be on the chopping block next week according to you's?

 

[blacktip-reefy]

Hopefully merrit is on the chopping block, thats who.
& he is the only dropping I have called for all year because of poor performance or enthusiasm or both.
Goldie was a seperate issue where I thought it was best he dropped to sheild his confidence, because he was having a big dig.
But there is a big difference between pay packs here.
& right now there is a guy out on the right wing, takin the pizz.

If you listen to some here, running across field, not dropping the ball & making 2 metres is a positive.

I did see him do positive things last night. 3 of them. Try, catch & tackle.
& thats about where it stops for the year.

 

[Special K]

If Merritt gets dropped this weekend Rieck will come in, not Saleh. So to keep Rieck away from first grade give Merritt another final chance :lol:

 

[Sharkies all the Way]

The revised cronulla backs as per recent bashing:

1. Saleh
2. Makisi
3. Vagana
4. Franze
5. Pelo
6. Gallen
7. Kimmorley

Quality outfit :lol:

 

[imasharkie]

Merritt has been back for only 4 games not the whole year as suggested

 

[Special K]

Bring up Pelo!

 

[blacktip-reefy]

Merrit has been available & played for 7 matches this year & somehow got a call up from premier league.

Just on possible options, which players are having a dig in PL.
Pelo has everybody talking for his effort alone in matches.
How did makisi go? The one game I saw him, he chased the play & had a dig.

 

[blacktip-reefy]

Actually, change of plan.
Just give Merrit a tape of Luke Rooney & make him watch it for each waking hour for a fortnight.
Then throw a jersey on him & say "go & be Rooney"