Recommitted Zach Merrett [UFA 2027] - Wanted a trade to Hawthorn, but it didn't get done

[Lore]

There we go, that's the clip:

 

[HairyO]

So many Essendon supporters frantically deleting tweets and social media posts right now.

If Tim Watson has come out and said there is zero chance of a trade and he is staying, then there will certainly be some frantic backtracking followed by:
"I always wanted him to stay, I never wanted 2 x top 10 picks for him, I just want him leading us up the ladder next year exactly like what Welsh said".

 

[iameviljez]

Than the Hawks?

They finished above them on the ladder and beat them last season.

There’s not much between the teams.

One team bombed out in the first week, the other made it through to the PF and was hardly an easybeat in that match.

 

[iameviljez]

given it's chosen by the players and isn't a position with tenure, as such, I doubt it's an issue - there's 0% chance he would remain captain or want to remain captain

I don't think it's chosen by players any more than school captain is chosen by the students.

 

[Shueygod]

One team bombed out in the first week, the other made it through to the PF and was hardly an easybeat in that match.

There’s very little between the two teams, and I’d say Freo was the better regular season team with experience being the difference come finals, ditto the Crows.

Sydney made a GF in 2024, didn’t help them much in the 2025 regular season.

 

[HeHateMe]

Look at the flip side of that statement and compare to Adelaide and Freo for me.

Who does Freo have that’s likely to regress?

Freo based on age comfortably have more development in them it’s safe to assume.

What about the other teams I have no problem with you rating Freo and Adelaide ahead but how does that opinion = your assurance that Hawthorn will miss the 8?

 

[Lance Uppercut]

I don't think it's chosen by players any more than school captain is chosen by the students.

maybe. I'm cynical enough to concede you might well be right but, nevertheless, my understanding is there's a player vote each year so that's the starting point.

Regardless of how the position is chosen the point remains - there's no tenure, so no need to be "pushed" or "sacked"; and there's no way he'll stay (or want to stay) captain. If he remains

 

[boncer34]

Lots of presumptions being made.

Why not just wait until 7:30pm tomorrow night and save yourselves the effort?

I'll cya then

Still stand by this?

Yup, there's maintaining a strong bargaining position but there are so many Essendon supporters out there who genuinely believed Welsh when he said "under no circumstances will Merrett be traded".

They're all going to be pissed when he is traded.

They're mostly clueless boomers but still, you'd think you wouldn't treat your fan base like that.

 

[Skipper_]

If Tim Watson has come out and said there is zero chance of a trade and he is staying, then there will certainly be some frantic backtracking followed by:
"I always wanted him to stay, I never wanted 2 x top 10 picks for him, I just want him leading us up the ladder next year exactly like what Welsh said".

Nah, I think plenty of supporters will still be filthy with him and there is a good chance he cops some boos from his own supporter base early next year.

He won't be captain but he is still by far our best player and isn't going to let his professionalism and performance slip.

For what it's worth though, I would definitely prefer him gone if we get a reasonable offer.

 

[FootyGuru]

If Tim Watson has come out and said there is zero chance of a trade and he is staying, then there will certainly be some frantic backtracking followed by:
"I always wanted him to stay, I never wanted 2 x top 10 picks for him, I just want him leading us up the ladder next year exactly like what Welsh said".

Hawks gonna trade 2x top 10s?

 

[Guardian Hawk]

think we will accept something along the lines of;

Pick 8 + Mckenzie

F1 + Pick 8 + a player

2 x top 12 picks

RCAB tally me up

The thing is, this isn't that different from what is on the table.

Pick 8/9 and a future first has already been stated to be available.

Before our dream finals run, our own 1st this year would have been pick 11. That's pretty close to two top 12 picks (Pick 9 and pick 10-15).

For your middle option, adding a fringe player (providing you find one happy to go) would not be a deal breaker for Hawthorn.

It seems either your club is serious in not trading him or even your deals (which are indeed 'overs' for a 30 y.o.) are not good enough for Essendon unfortunately.

 

[Shueygod]

What about the other teams I have no problem with you rating Freo and Adelaide ahead but how does that opinion = your assurance that Hawthorn will miss the 8?

You said that Hawks would be top 4?

I’ve already given explanations of the other teams but if you’d like a rehash.

Bris - no explanation needed - added players in require positions - bunch of kids to improve
GC - look like adding Petracca, bunch of kids to improve
Ade - Discussed
Freo - Discussed + better run with injury
GWS - Add Oliver - Have kids in key positions with lots of improvement + better run with injury
Syd - Add Curnow, kinder run with injury
WB - Kinder run with injury
Geel - Add Marshall (if not they’re a chance to regress imo)
Coll - Likely regress
Hawks - should be about the same; outside chance they have a fit day and Lewis which would greatly improve their chances but they had a relatively good run with injury (compared to WB/Syd/Freo/GWS)

Port/Saints - Dark horses for the 8?

Should hopefully be a very competitive season for the top 8, with the top 4 being my only real locks barring something disastrous.

If the Hawks were to obtain Merrett I’d move them to a lock but with Days injury concerns their midfield appears to fragile for me to put them there at this stage.

 

[EBERT THE KING]

As much as Essendon are insufferable, this is pretty poor from the Hawks.

 

[iameviljez]

Regardless of how the position is chosen the point remains - there's no tenure, so no need to be "pushed" or "sacked"

It still has to be someone's choice that he is not to remain as captain.

I know that we hold to the idea that there's no "tenure", but incumbency still holds. Nobody is walking around Brisbane treating next year's captaincy as an open contest

 

[RCAB]

think we will accept something along the lines of;

Pick 8 + Mckenzie

F1 + Pick 8 + a player

2 x top 12 picks

RCAB tally me up

I'll tally up




Tom Morris confirming exactly what a few of us said (just me basically) Petroro put scenarios on the table, Essendon heard them, board slammed the door.

No “Godfather” offers, no mystery meetings.. just a full-blown stand-off between image control and reality. Essendon wins trade week yet again.

But yeah, apparently I was “making things up.”

Funny how accuracy becomes trolling when it turns out right. Like I said before... I don't think Essendon would've taken two firsts, Will Day and then on the proviso that Merrett comes back in 2027.

 

[HairyO]

Hawks gonna trade 2x top 10s?

For Humphrey I hope. For Merrett it would be a poor trade. You lot would be cheering from the rooftops - apart from that deepdown feeling that your brand new President in his very first public statement lied out of his arse and then continued to lie every time he opened his mouth.

For a club with your recent history that probably isnt a good thing.

We avoided paying overs having been interested in overhyped players in recent years (eg MacKay and Rata) so I hope we continue this and dont overpay for Merrett.

But Watson has said it is dead. Im assuming it is dead.

 

[HeHateMe]

You said that Hawks would be top 4?

I’ve already given explanations of the other teams but if you’d like a rehash.

Bris - no explanation needed - added players in require positions - bunch of kids to improve
GC - look like adding Petracca, bunch of kids to improve
Ade - Discussed
Freo - Discussed + better run with injury
GWS - Add Oliver - Have kids in key positions with lots of improvement + better run with injury
Syd - Add Curnow, kinder run with injury
WB - Kinder run with injury
Geel - Add Marshall (if not they’re a chance to regress imo)
Coll - Likely regress
Hawks - should be about the same; outside chance they have a fit day and Lewis which would greatly improve their chances but they had a relatively good run with injury (compared to WB/Syd/Freo/GWS)

Port/Saints - Dark horses for the 8?

Should hopefully be a very competitive season for the top 8, with the top 4 being my only real locks barring something disastrous.

If the Hawks were to obtain Merrett I’d move them to a lock but with Days injury concerns their midfield appears to fragile for me to put them there at this stage.

I'll PM you why your logic is wrong.

 

[Hawkk]

If Mitchell gives Watson his Charlie back will they fold?

 

[Guardian Hawk]

Counter offer: Sam keeps his Brownlow but gives Walsh and Rosa VIP access to our clubrooms Grand final day if we win. Will even throw in a photoshoot with the cup signed by Sammy the genius himself.

We'll even let Merrett put his Essendon jumper back on for the photo (we'll need to laminate it for obvious reasons)

 

[Yummy5454]

Hes a professional and good role model for young players, it’s more about player development than wins. Essendon also thinks Merrett can play for a long time still.

Not sure holding someone that wants to leave is the role model and culture setter that you’re looking for

But fair enough

 

[Deepthroat]

This is turning out to be CLASSIC ESSENDON.

Player wants to leave and flags it VERY early.

Essendon digs their heals in "Nobody is bigger than us".

Now they'll end up with another entity roaming the corridors with an axe to grind.

They already have the ghosts of Kev & Jimmy rattling the chains around the hanger.

Add Zachie the friendly ghost to the mix now.

It's almost popcorn time....

 

[TylerDurden]

So when does Zach come out and say "im staying!" ?

 

[boncer34]

The thing is, this isn't that different from what is on the table.

Pick 8/9 and a future first has already been stated to be available.

Before our dream finals run, our own 1st this year would have been pick 11. That's pretty close to two top 12 picks (Pick 9 and pick 10-15).

For your middle option, adding a fringe player (providing you find one happy to go) would not be a deal breaker for Hawthorn.

It seems either your club is serious in not trading him or even your deals (which are indeed 'overs' for a 30 y.o.) are not good enough for Essendon unfortunately.

I think Essendons position has been very clear.

 

[boncer34]

So when does Zach come out and say "im staying!" ?

You tell us. Whats your mail?

 

[jannissary]

So when does Zach come out and say "im staying!" ?

probably the same time that he ends up requesting a trade instead of staying silent

 

[DERO]

If Tim Watson has come out and said there is zero chance of a trade and he is staying, then there will certainly be some frantic backtracking followed by:
"I always wanted him to stay, I never wanted 2 x top 10 picks for him, I just want him leading us up the ladder next year exactly like what Welsh said".

ABASI, WHEREFORE ART THOUGH?