RETIRING defender Daniel Merrett says the Brisbane Lions should take a page from the book of big improvers St Kilda as they strive to claw out of the doldrums.
Merrett will play his 200th and final game against the Saints at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, and said the Lions could learn plenty from their opponent.
"They're a young list and I think the thing I admire about the Saints is they play with a lot of spirit and crack in," Merrett told reporters on Thursday morning.
"We need to come with a better mindset and play with a bit more spirit and we could be (following their improvement) for sure."
Since Alan Richardson took over at the Saints, they've won four games in 2014, six (and a draw) last season and have 11 victories ahead of Sunday's match.
In the same timeframe, the Lions have won seven, four and now three games in successive years.
After 14 years at the Lions, and 12 of them as a regular senior player, Merrett says the "competitive streak" is the thing he'll miss most about playing.
It's something he hopes to pass on to his teammates when he helps the young Lions defenders in a coaching role next year.
"Off the field I'm pretty relaxed … a pretty friendly kind of guy, where on the field it's that competitive streak," Merrett said.
"From a young age one of my first coaches told me to play like a big man and play aggressive and that's how I play my football.
"I think it’s there (with the team), it’s just getting the guys to be able to do it for longer.
"One guy that really stands out for me as playing with a lot of spirit is Mitch Robinson.
"I think it’s infectious with our group; say someone comes out and does an awesome act, goes back with the flight or smashes in, that filters through the rest of our group, so it’s just, who’s going to be the one to get that going?
"Hopefully, on the weekend it might be up to me to make that big statement early, hopefully we get that spirited performance on the weekend."
Merrett said despite a lack of team success over his career, he was pleased to stay a one-club player.
He was almost traded following 2014, with interest from the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne, but said he was never really tempted to leave.
"I'm a pretty loyal guy and I wanted to see it out and stay here and try and make things better," he said.
"I'm happy I can say I'm done. I'd prefer that than getting the tap on the shoulder to say you're done.
"I'm really fortunate to be able to pick the time and be able to celebrate it the way I have.
"I just wanted to stay at the Brisbane Lions and make this club better."
