Merrett (knee), fellow vice-captain Simon Black (hand and gastro) and ruckman Jamie Charman (knee) missed the Lions four pre-season matches but are expected to be named on Thursday.
Merrett and Charman both played for local AFLQ club Aspley last weekend and the reliable defender said he was right to go.
''It's a little concern (no matches), but I've trained hard through cross-training over the pre-season so I'm confident how my body is and how fit I am,'' he said.
''You're always going to struggle early on with match fitness but I'm better for playing on the weekend and confident going into this weekend.''
He said there would be no worries with Charman and Black if selected and pointed out their experience and combination would make an easier transition back to the seniors.
''The guys have been together for a few years now and we've all played together for a while so it (cohesion) shouldn't be a problem.''
When asked about Saturday night's season-opening opponents, Merrett was quick to point to a damning statistic despite his team being installed as red-hot favourites.
''They've always started the season very well. I think for the last seven years they've won their round one game so we're really going to have to have our game on Saturday night,'' he said.
That string of success included a first-up win last season at Subiaco against a Lions outfit that rode on the back of six goals from new skipper Jonathan Brown.
Fellow spearhead Daniel Bradshaw added three, but the Lions still came up 18 points short.
With the Lions missing last year's top eight in the final fortnight of the season, Merrett said the team had worked hard on their skills in the off-season.
He said they also have a clearer strategy in place come crunch time in matches, an area that deserted the Lions in a string of narrow losses last season.
''Just maintaining possession late in the game. I think you have to, (it's) just a smarter way to do it.''
Dream Team watch – Simon Black is rated a $398,700 midfielder in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009
Jamie Charman is rated a $278,300 ruckman in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009
Daniel Merrett is rated a $169,800 defender in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009
