Merrett suffered the injury early in the second half of the Brisbane Lions’ heart-stopping win over the Western Bulldogs in Round 22 at the Gabba, which meant he only missed the team’s final match of the season against Geelong.
It also meant, however, that he would spend the majority of his post-season holiday consigned to his couch.
“It probably helped that I had that holiday period to completely rest,” Merrett said on Tuesday.
“So I spent some time on the couch and watched the whole series of Breaking Bad and Walking Dead. I’ve done a lot of ‘couch time’.”
Although he remained on a modified program, Merrett was able to join the rest of his teammates in Arizona for the high altitude training camp, and is gradually getting closer to full training.
“I’m back running around, doing some skills and stuff, and should join in with full training after Christmas,” he said.
“Fingers-crossed I should be right to go for Round 1. Hopefully I only miss that one game (Round 23 last season).”
