Gary Merrington

Gary Merrington (19 November 1946 – 10 December 2024) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League (VFL).^[1]

Gary Merrington
Personal information
Nickname	Chooka
Born	(1946-11-19)19 November 1946
Died	10 December 2024(2024-12-10) (aged 78)
Original team	Sunshine YCW / Braybrook
Height	187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	85 kg (187 lb)
Positions	Wing/Key defender and occasionally in forward
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1966–1975	Footscray	174 (46)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1975.
Career highlights
Member of the Western Bulldogs' '67 and '70 Night Premierships Kicked 4 goals against the Hawks in a game in 1973 (after kicking 2.6 the week before) Life member of the Western Bulldogs Football Club.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Merrington was recruited locally, from Footscray District Football League club Braybrook, and also played on the alternate day for Sunshine YCW.

He played as a defender for most of his career, but also spent some time on the wing.^[2]

Merrington was a member of Footscray's 1967 and 1970 night premierships, kicking 5 goals in the 1967 final.

After retiring he continued serving the club as a recruiter and was their Football Manager during the 1990s.^[3]

He had two sons, Andrew Merrington, who played for Carlton and Adam who played in the Victorian Amateur Football Association for Old Essendon Grammarians.^[4]

Merrington died on the night of 10 December 2024, at the age of 78.^[5][6]

Overall, Merrington is remembered as a pioneer Bulldog who could play any position excellently (such as hauls of goals when he was moved up forward occasionally) and a recruiter who recruited excellent players such as Chris Grant and Leon Cameron. Merrington was a life member of the Bulldogs,^[7] and was a passionate supporter of the club for many years after he retired. He also volunteered as a publican at the All Nations Hotel in Richmond, where customers enjoyed eating lunch and talking with him.^[6][8]