| Birth date | 19 November 1946 |
|---|---|
| Death date | 10 December 2024 (aged 78) |
| Originalteam | Sunshine YCW / Braybrook |
| Height | 187 cm |
| Weight | 85 kg |
| Position | Wing/Key defender and occasionally in forward |
| Statsend | 1975 |
| Years 1 | 1966–1975 |
| Club 1 | Footscray |
| Games goals 1 | 174 (46) |
| Careerhighlights | Member of the Western Bulldogs' '67 and '70 Night Premierships Kicked 4 goals against the Hawks in a game in 1973 (after kicking 2.6 the week before) Life member of the Western Bulldogs Football Club. |
Gary Merrington (19 November 1946 – 10 December 2024) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[1]
Merrington was recruited locally, from Footscray District Football League club Braybrook, and also played on the alternate day for Sunshine YCW.
He played as a defender for most of his career, but also spent some time on the wing.[2]
Merrington was a member of Footscray's 1967 and 1970 night premierships, kicking 5 goals in the 1967 final.
After retiring he continued serving the club as a recruiter and was their Football Manager during the 1990s.[3]
He had two sons, Andrew Merrington, who played for Carlton and Adam who played in the Victorian Amateur Football Association for Old Essendon Grammarians.[4]
Merrington died on the night of 10 December 2024, at the age of 78.[5][6]
Overall, Merrington is remembered as a pioneer Bulldog who could play any position excellently (such as hauls of goals when he was moved up forward occasionally) and a recruiter who recruited excellent players such as Chris Grant and Leon Cameron. Merrington was a life member of the Bulldogs,[7] and was a passionate supporter of the club for many years after he retired. He also volunteered as a publican at the All Nations Hotel in Richmond, where customers enjoyed eating lunch and talking with him.[6][8]
References
- ^ AFL Tables: Gary Merrington
- ^ Holmesby, Russell & Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. ISBN 978-1-920910-78-5.
- ^ The Age,"A Collingwood poll: that's entertainment", 3 December 1989, p. 65
- ^ "Past Player Profiles - PEGS Football Club"
- ^ "WesternBulldogs Instagram post". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ "Vale Gary Merrington"
- ^ "Life Members | Western Bulldogs". westernbulldogs.com.au. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ Harms, John (12 December 2024). "Vale Gary 'Chooka' Merrington". www.footyalmanac.com.au. Retrieved 2024-12-12.