AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Maitland Saints junior Ryan Merrick will be in the thick of the action for Saturday’s game at Newcastle No.1 Sportsground where the Sydney Swans’ reserves clash with Eastlake.
Merrick, who notched up his 100th Australian football game for the Maitland club recently, will play for the Newcastle under 16s representative side in the curtain-raiser for the NEAFL Eastern Conference encounter.
The Aberglasslyn teenager said he was looking forward to the experience before contesting the Greater Sydney Juniors carnival in Manly from Wednesday.
At just 15 years of age Merrick has notched up the most games for one of the city’s newest sporting clubs.
“I love this club,” Merrick said.
“It’s the only club I can ever see myself playing 100 games for.”
He started out playing the introductory AusKick when the Saints first formed with 17 players around six years ago.
Merrick, now in under 17s, has continued to kick goals and this has earned a few senior caps for Maitland in the Black Diamond AFL second division competition.
“I have played a couple of games in seniors and I have really enjoyed it,” he said.
“The guys have really looked after me, which helps.”
The Saints have the weekend off in both juniors and seniors with the Swans’ game being played in the Hunter.
A total of 10 players, aged between 18 and 23 years, from the Black Diamond AFL Premier Division have been called into the Swans’ reserves squad ahead of Saturday’s game.
Kick-off is noon and entry is free.