Australian Football

After playing 13 WAFL games for West Perth in 1993 Mark Merenda was drafted by Richmond. He commenced his AFL career with the Tigers the following year and after a somewhat inconsistent start developed into a fine player. Able to undertake a variety of commissions, he was highly skilled, and capable of the odd burst of spectacular football.

During the second half of the 90s, however, Merenda began to struggle with injury, and missed more games than he played. Over the course of the 1999 and 2000 seasons he managed just five appearances and ended up being traded to West Coast in a move which was widely felt to be risky on the part of the Eagles. However, Merenda produced an excellent 2001 campaign during which he missed just three games. A highlight of the year came in round three against St Kilda when he kicked what was later adjudged to be the goal of the year, paddling the ball along the boundary line from outside 50 and towards goal before snapping truly from deep within the forward pocket.

After such a promising start to his Eagles career Merenda suffered a major blow in 2002 when his old injury woes resurfaced and he was restricted to just seven appearances plus three back in the WAFL for West Perth. He retired at season’s end.

Mark Merenda’s game and goal tallies were 16 games, 17 goals West Perth, 75-62 Richmond and 26-26 West Coast.

Author - John Devaney