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. 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.