Without an obvious match-up for his burly full-back, Lions coach Leigh Matthews chose to use Merrett as a pinch-hitting ruckman in the crucial 11-point win over the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.
And while Matthews hasn't ruled out re-visiting that scenario this week, Merrett has started the week preparing for another showdown with Carlton full-forward and Coleman Medal chance Brendan Fevola.
After that, he looks likely to renew acquaintances with Sydney Swans star Barry Hall in round 22.
"It was good to play up the ground a bit and be a bit more involved in play, even though I probably wasn't ever going to be the most attacking ruckman," Merrett told lions.com.au.
"But I'll be pretty happy to go down back again this week if that's what ends up happening.
"I've had a nice freshen-up but the challenge of playing on the really good forwards is something I set myself for, and Fevola is definitely one of them."
Merrett's preparation for Fevola and then Hall is likely to comprise plenty of time studying DVDs of both players in action.
Each is strong on the lead and in the air, not to mention in fine form. Fevola kicked six goals, including five in the first half, against North Melbourne on Sunday, while Hall booted five majors against reigning premier Geelong.
"I've played on Fevola a few times now and with him it's all about getting your starting points right," Merrett explained.
"With different players you have different starting points – some you'll look to start behind, others in front and there are probably some you try to stand pretty much side-by-side with.
"With the way Carlton can move the ball so quickly, it's massively important to have your starting points on Fevola spot on.
"I'll be watching a few tapes of him over the next couple of days to help with that."
The Lions' trailed until three-quarter time against the Bulldogs but surged home on the back of a five goals to two last quarter.
Merrett says the nature of the victory – the Lions had previously given up late leads against Melbourne, Richmond and North Melbourne – and its importance made for one of the most memorable wins of his 66-game career.
With two rounds to play, the ninth-placed Lions are only one game and a touch more than one percentage point behind eighth-placed St Kilda, which takes on the red-hot Adelaide this weekend.
"It was right up there with our best wins, I'd have to say," Merrett said.
"Obviously it was a big game for us and we'll take a fair bit of confidence out of it into the last couple of rounds.
"Also the way we came from behind and managed to get a couple of goals ahead and stay there was a real positive.
"The couple of losses we've had where we led with only a couple of minutes left were really disappointing and pretty heartbreaking in the way they happened."
