DANIEL Merrett is on track to play in round one, with rehabilitation from a broken ankle coming along well for the big Brisbane Lions full-back.
Merrett sustained the injury in round 22 against the Western Bulldogs, requiring surgery that included the insertion of a plate and 10 screws.
Merrett is with the rest of the Lions' playing group on a two-week altitude training camp in Arizona and has started running with the help of an anti-gravity treadmill.
He is running at 85 per cent of his 103kg body weight and expects to be at full speed soon.
"It feels pretty good at the moment. It is a lot different," Merrett told lions.com.au from Arizona.
"The treadmill's underneath you and there's not a lot of contract going through your feet.
"The legs will definitely feel it when I start running on land."
Merrett played 17 games last season in a mix of roles between his regular full-back and an increasing role as a marking forward.
Although admitting the injury had been a setback, Merrett was philosophical.
"I probably timed the injury well being on my holidays," he said.
"If everything goes well, I shouldn't miss any games. It feels really good. I'm walking around normally and I can pretty much do anything."
