AFL Player 7: Indefatigable Zach Merrett - Stepping down as captain for 2026

[MPMonkeys]

Him and lloyd are as bad as edmund/morris/clarke. Both were practically willing him out the door because they were thinking more about the great content rather than the club, now they've pivoted when the writing is on the wall that hawks arent playing ball.

To be fair, so were 90% of people on here.

 

[NAB777]

Him and lloyd are as bad as edmund/morris/clarke. Both were practically willing him out the door because they were thinking more about the great content rather than the club, now they've pivoted when the writing is on the wall that hawks arent playing ball.

Watson is being factual on what he is hearing. Not sure that's being 'bad'.

 

[MiguelM]

So Hawthorn in this year have gone from:

Reid and Petracca

to Petracca and Merrett

to Merrett and Humphrey

to Merrett

to now potentially no one

The new North!

 

[YEMOC NAYR]

feel like this shit happens every trade period. waiting for the moment reporters say the trade is back on!!!

 

[andleanback]

Merrett wants out
Essendon - we won’t trade him
Merrett has met with the hawks
Essendon - we won’t trade him
Media - the deal will get done
Essendon - we won’t trade him
Media - essendon would accept 2 1st and a player
Essendon - we won’t trade him
Media - the merrett deal is in trouble
Essendon - we won’t trade him.

We literally have not changed our stance for 4 weeks and the media have used it for content and now realising we weren’t bullshitting.

 

[jannissary]

Merrett wants out
Essendon - we won’t trade him
Merrett has met with the hawks
Essendon - we won’t trade him
Media - the deal will get done
Essendon - we won’t trade him
Media - essendon would accept 2 1st and a player
Essendon - we won’t trade him
Media - the merrett deal is in trouble
Essendon - we won’t trade him.

We literally have not changed our stance for 4 weeks and the media have used it for content and now realising we weren’t bullshitting.

tom morris will let us know that we're actually interested in changing our position

 

[andleanback]

tom morris will let us know that we're actually interested in changing our position

Waiting for the the merrett trade is back on either later today or tomorrow morning

 

[MiguelM]

So in the likely event that Merrett stays, can he remain as captain?

 

[Skipper_]

So in the likely event that Merrett stays, can he remain as captain?

Nope.

 

[dank420_]

So in the likely event that Merrett stays, can he remain as captain?

yep

 

[andleanback]

So in the likely event that Merrett stays, can he remain as captain?

Would be interesting to see what the player vote
I reckon Brad will still want him as captain but the rest of the club/ players won’t

 

[Skipper_]

Would be interesting to see what the player vote
I reckon Brad will still want him as captain but the rest of the club/ players won’t

The players would almost certainly vote McGrath in.

I know there are quite a few players that already preferred McGrath as a leader to Merrett, before all of this even went down.

 

[andleanback]

The players would almost certainly vote McGrath in.

I know there are quite a few players that already preferred McGrath as a leader to Merrett, before all of this even went down.

Wouldn’t be surprised if the coaches just choose merrett over others regardless of the vote in the past

 

[Chucks]

So in the likely event that Merrett stays, can he remain as captain?

For me, not a chance in hell

 

[MiguelM]

For me, not a chance in hell

Same. Lets send a strong message.

Zach/his manager have handled this like 2 year olds.

 

[Stopher]

Agree, but I can see both outcomes. What will be will be.

'What can be, unburdened by what has been'

 

[doug85]

Same. Lets send a strong message.

Zach/his manager have handled this like 2 year olds.

I think the hawks ****ed Zach by leaking to the media (and themselves by extension). But Zach got what he deserved for flirting with opposition clubs every offseason.

Zach would be smart to put out a statement about how keen he is to play for us next year and into the future. Then slowly drip feed puff pieces about how he never requested a trade, he loves the club, the media blew this out of proportion blah blah blah.

 

[faible]

So in the likely event that Merrett stays, can he remain as captain?

Nope.

yep

Well now I don't know what to think.

 

[joey_jo_jo]

To be fair, so were 90% of people on here.

yeah but thats my issue, Lloyd and Watson present info like they have some additional insight as former players of the club, but they basically regurgitate the same info as guys like Morris, yet for some supporters it holds additional weight when repeated by ex-players.

 

[andleanback]

I think the hawks ****ed Zach by leaking to the media (and themselves by extension). But Zach got what he deserved for flirting with opposition clubs every offseason.

Zach would be smart to put out a statement about how keen he is to play for us next year and into the future. Then slowly drip feed puff pieces about how he never requested a trade, he loves the club, the media blew this out of proportion blah blah blah.

Pointless task no one would believe that fluff

 

[joey_jo_jo]

I think the hawks ****ed Zach by leaking to the media (and themselves by extension). But Zach got what he deserved for flirting with opposition clubs every offseason.

Zach would be smart to put out a statement about how keen he is to play for us next year and into the future. Then slowly drip feed puff pieces about how he never requested a trade, he loves the club, the media blew this out of proportion blah blah blah.

if it was just the initial leak then I think he could walk it back, but the ongoing scuttlebutt leaked to morris/Clarke (redman's manager also looking at suitors, Vozzo and the drug chat etc) makes his position as captain untenable for me.

 

[doug85]

if it was just the initial leak then I think he could walk it back, but the ongoing scuttlebutt leaked to morris/Clarke (redman's manager also looking at suitors, Vozzo and the drug chat etc) makes his position as captain untenable for me.

Oh I’m not suggesting he retain the captaincy….

 

[doug85]

Pointless task no one would believe that fluff

I think you’re overestimating the intelligence of the general football public.

Zach Merrett Committed to Essendon Amid Trade Rumors - Cal Twomey.

In recent weeks, trade speculation surrounding Essendon Bombers star Zach Merrett has made headlines, particularly regarding a supposed move to the Hawthorn Hawks. However, Merrett has firmly quashed these rumors, reaffirming his commitment to the Essendon Football Club and expressing his desire to achieve success with the team.

In his latest remarks, Merrett stated, "I never wanted to leave Essendon. The talk about a trade to Hawthorn was just media scuttlebutt. My focus has always been on building something special here at Essendon." His determination to remain with the Bombers reflects his passion for the club and his belief in their potential for the future.

Merrett’s commitment goes beyond mere words; he has a vision for what he wants to achieve with Essendon. "I can't wait to hold up the premiership cup in one arm, grabbing the sash jumper in the other, screaming 'Don the sash'! That's the dream," he shared with enthusiasm.

Fans of the Bombers will undoubtedly appreciate Merrett's dedication as he continues to be a pivotal player for the team. With his leadership qualities and on-field prowess, there’s no doubt that he is committed to taking Essendon back to the top.

As the trade period approaches, the club and its supporters can rest easy knowing that Zach Merrett is all-in for Essendon, ready to tackle the challenges ahead and lead the team toward a successful premiership campaign.

 

[thebigboy]

So in the likely event that Merrett stays, can he remain as captain?

No chance IMO. A clean break is best for all parties. If/when we struggle next year, the media would have a field day with speculation about whether he was truly all-in. This way, he can focus on footy/meetings with other clubs, and we can move forward with a leader who won't have players second-guessing their commitment to the message they're trying to deliver.

 

[VelvetSledge]

Looks like he's staying, and no he can't remain as captain.

Regardless, it's player-voted, and I would deem it highly unlikely he will have them on his side to lead the club.

I for one welcome our new strong-chinned overlord