Twelve months after quitting boyhood club St George Illawarra for Penrith, Trent Merrin believes that emotional decision helped turn him into an international player.
Overlooked for NSW by Laurie Daley for State of Origin this year, Australia coach Mal Meninga and the Test selectors had no such reservations when naming a 24-man squad for the Four Nations, selecting him ahead of Queensland stalwart Corey Parker.
The 27-year-old back-rower, who’ll start off the bench against Scotland on Friday in Hull, was then handed his first start by Meninga in the 26-6 win over New Zealand in Perth earlier this month following a strong season in helping the Panthers to the NRL finals.
He admits he was devastated by his Origin snub, but said it lifted him to produce some of the best form of his career.
“I have to give credit to this Penrith boys, they really had my back during that tough period during the rep season,” Merrin said.
“It’s been a great turnaround, I was able to focus on myself and playing the best footy of my career.
“The whole reason I left the Dragons to go out west was to test myself and get comfortable in the uncomfortable.
“It took until mid-season but my form really turned around and my love and passion for the game, which I’d lost, returned.”