While most AFL players generally aren’t too thrilled about the prospect of being moved into the backline, Daniel Merrett proudly calls it ‘home’.

Merrett, who has played the majority of the 2012 season as key forward and occasional pinch-hitting ruckman, made a welcome return back ‘home’ in Round 19 and has since relished the chance to reprise his favourite full-back role.

In four games since the shift, the big Queenslander hasn’t conceded more than two goals to his direct opponent - with Jack Riewoldt (two goals) and Kurt Tippett (zero goals and seven disposals) among his prize scalps.

Speaking exclusively with Lions fans on Wednesday, the man dubbed ‘The Rusty Fist’ - for his fiery red hair and supreme spoiling ability - said he was glad to re-join his mates as a member of the Lions’ back six.

“It’s good to be back punching football again,” Merrett said during his live chat on lions.com.au.

“I prefer to play down back. I think I am a backman at heart.”

But Merrett also revealed that he did enjoy some of the spoils that came with playing up forward.

In fact, he will finish the season as the Club’s second leading goal-kicker behind Captain Jonathan Brown, with a career-best return of 26 goals for the season.

“It was good to kick goals and celebrate them,” he said.

Read the full transcript from Daniel Merrett’s 30-minute live chat

Merrett also gave the strongest indication yet that superstar team-mate Simon Black won’t be hanging up the boots at the end of 2012.

“Blacky will go around again,” Merrett said.

Check out some of the transcripts from previous live chats with Lions players