Paul Merlo is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s and 1980s. A New South Wales State of Origin representative forward, he played his club football in the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) competition for the Penrith Panthers, Western Suburbs Magpies and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Merlo was selected to represent New South Wales as a second-rower for Game III of the 1982 State of Origin series. Merlo later worked as a regional manager for Cetnaj Lighting Electrical and Data. Based at Cardiff, New South Wales, he also became the head coach of the South Newcastle Lions in the Newcastle Rugby League competition. In 2010 Merlo was named in a South Newcastle Lions team of the century. This is the same club Paul played his junior football at. In 2010, Merlo was named as a member of the Western Suburbs Magpies' Team of the Eighties. Is now a keen foiler and can be found down at Fingal bay References Sources 1955 births Living people Australian rugby league players New South Wales Rugby League State of Origin players Penrith Panthers players Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks players South Newcastle Lions players Rugby league locks Rugby league players from New South Wales Western Suburbs Magpies players