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

[Lore]

There we go, that's the clip:

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

I'm sure he will.

I dont think he is certain. I dont think he is the type of player id hold as a must keep anyway.

 

[LegendLewis]

So what if he is 30? Have a look at Sidebottom and Pendlebury's form at 30. Both would have netted the same deal at 30 and Merrett has proven to be as durable as them throughout his career.

They are the exception, not the rule. Most drop off quickly after 30. He has proven to be very durable yes, but it is still a risk.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

More I look at it crapper the deal looks and probably means Essendon did the right thing.

To me its no different to the Curnow move. Swans knew a player of good quality had to head the other way and Hawks simply havnt done that.

Im confused as to why Hawks are so desperate to hold on to Cam Mackenzie. Id rather keep pick 9 and send Mackenzie on his way to get the deal done

It’s an ok offer. People saying it’s massive overs are kidding themselves but it’s not terrible.

Merrett is a superstar who is quite fairly expected to have 5-6 strong years left. To some people he’s just “he’s 30, get rid of him, get what you can!”

 

[LegendLewis]

Aren’t GC allegedly offering more for a 30yo at this very second?

Not according to my maths, but i'm not going to look it up. Someone will know it by heart and will post it.

 

[marcmurphy3]

That offer is way more then I thought Essendon would get. Not sure how Hawks can offer more. Would be by far the most ever offered for a 30+ year old.

If I was the Hawks I'd walk away. They are a destination club atm. They can attract a gun mid next year.

If they are going to sell the farm do it for a younger player. If that deal goes through they can close the door on Reid, Humphrey, Butters ect for the next few years.

I dont think not closing Merrett will hurt them. They have clearly tried hard to satisfy Essendon.

 

[SSSSSS]

I dont think he is certain. I dont think he is the type of player id hold as a must keep anyway.

He was on the verge of a break out year before he broke his hand IMO.

Lost a lot of confidence after this. It's his first major setback as a young player.

He'll be fine.

 

[brutus76]

Perhaps Mrs Mitchell's bad cooking is to blame?
Did she prepare beef wellington with mushrooms?

 

[jannissary]

Do people seriously think that Hawks offer is fair?

Pick 8 in a shit draft
Late teens/early 20s pick
Some spud
Random 30s pick

I applaud them on being aggressive with recruitment but geez if you want to recruit the captain of historically your biggest rival you need to come up with a much better offer than that.

hawks fans certainly think it's fair, they'd think the vfl plodder would walk into the side!

Unserious organisation. Best of luck.

why'd your mob take the entire period to contact us? it's a bit disappointing that you're unable to make a single phone call, it's not like you wouldn't have our number! take your melts back to your echo-chamber, please. see you in 12 months so you can cry again!

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

It’s an ok offer. People saying it’s massive overs are kidding themselves but it’s not terrible.

Merrett is a superstar who is quite fairly expected to have 5-6 strong years left. To some people he’s just “he’s 30, get rid of him, get what you can!”

I just dont get how a player can lose a guy like Merrett and get zero best 22 players back from it

Demons and Petracca is much the same to me too. You gotta get a player back when you lose this calibre of player. Why even buy a membership if you are Demons fan? They have quit before the season began

 

[Fridge16]

Did you miss the part where your club is refusing to even talk to us?

We declined it.

The Hawks wined and dined him, the onus is on the Hawks to get it done and not leave Zach hanging.

 

[Skipper_]

I'm fine with the offer

i am also not matt rosa. What you want me to do?

that has nothing to do with the post?

C’mon man just sign off on the trade, you’re clearly the last stumbling block.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

If Essendon really refused the offer of pick 9, f1, f2 and a player they are a joke, and legitimately Merrett has grounds to ask for please explain from afl re restraint of trade

Its unders.
They are right to say no.

 

[STPer18]

Essendon carrying trade week/fortnight again. Hold firm you good things.

 

[Petrify]

Do people seriously think that Hawks offer is fair?

Pick 8 in a shit draft
Late teens/early 20s pick
Some spud
Random 30s pick

I applaud them on being aggressive with recruitment but geez if you want to recruit the captain of historically your biggest rival you need to come up with a much better offer than that.

The pick 8 is actually more like pick 14 in a shit draft so it's even worse than you framed it.

The only people who think it is fair are incapable of reading beyond the words "first round".

Sydney on the other hand are showing that to get a star in you need to give up guys like Florent & Hayward. Hawthorn want to keep all their mid-tier players & want to recruit a star player. They can't have their cake and eat it too.

 

[bzparkes]

Unserious organisation. Best of luck.

Yep, if they were more serious they'd have offered up Cam McKenzie.

 

[cherrypie]

Aren’t GC allegedly offering more for a 30yo at this very second?

Who?

 

[Guardian Hawk]

Hawks best offer was poop.

Pick 14 a pick in the 20s pick 40 and a VFL midfielder for a top 20 player in the AFL is a joke

All Essendon is asking for is 1 legitimately good piece in return and there’s nothing close to that coming back

Firstly, Merrett is not top 20. He didn't even make the AA squad of 44.

Secondly, he's 30 years old and declining. Find me any 30 old traded for more than what was offered for Merrett. Ever. One of if not the biggest trade of all time for a 30+ year old is 'poop' and a 'joke'.

Thirdly, Essendon fans for 300+ pages have been agreeing that a deal less than the one offered was indeed 'overs' and 'ponying' up and therefore something they would take. We added an extra 2nd rounder to the proposed deal and suddenly its poop.

Fourthly, you are also intentionally misrepresenting the actual picks to make them sound worse.

 

[jdstorm]

To me he's an A grader but he's never been a top 10 mid the comp. Kind of floating in that very consistent 11-15 bracket.

Just lacks a gear that the truly cream of the crop elites like Bont/Daicos/Butters has.

Say he’s the 15th best mid. Add say 6 forwards and 6 defenders and a ruck and that’s still top 30

11th alongside 4 def 4 forwards and a ruck and that’s 20th so he’s there abouts that number

Just depends on how you feel about mids vs players who play other positions.

Not sure what the answer is but most people have about 20 top 10 players and 40 top 20 becuse you start splitting hairs and it goes down to preference.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

That offer is way more then I thought Essendon would get. Not sure how Hawks can offer more. Would be by far the most ever offered for a 30+ year old.

If I was the Hawks I'd walk away. They are a destination club atm. They can attract a gun mid next year.

If they are going to sell the farm do it for a younger player. If that deal goes through they can close the door on Reid, Humphrey, Butters ect for the next few years.

I dont think not closing Merrett will hurt them. They have clearly tried hard to satisfy Essendon.

is slight overs, certainly not more "WAY" more

i am OK with it though.

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

Nah, you guys fumbled bad. You’ve taken pies 2026F1 over M.Reid at this point.

The ****?

I watched Barrass play bloody well this year, we made a prelim and we have carltons first 2 picks instead of our own.

Such a fumble.

 

[lizard man]

You have to be kidding. A fit Mitch Lewis is one of the first picked

Well it’s going to take a compelling offer to turn essendons head and accept the deal ….. Lewis seems like a great fit for the bombers

 

[Shueygod]

Who?

Petracca.

 

[Petrify]

Firstly, Merrett is not top 20. He didn't even make the AA squad of 44.

Secondly, he's 30 years old and declining. Find me any 30 old traded for more than what was offered for Merrett. Ever. One of if not the biggest trade of all time for a 30+ year old is 'poop' and a 'joke'.

Why are Hawthorn hellbent on recruiting him then? How is he simultaenously declining and according to Mitchell the type of player they need to push for a flag?

Merrett was top 5 in odds for the Brownlow & regularly spoken about as on track for AA captain before Essendon's injury storm hit. When the injury storm hit he was thrown around everywhere to cover gaps. He was still elite when he was in the midfield.

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

vice captain to tasmanian legend jye menzie

Early on you need good leaders, not good players. Like Alex Carey! (not Gary Ablett)

I dont know anything about the leadership qualities of Menzie but heard great things about Fox and it sounds like Pearce might end up there too.

 

[SSSSSS]

Petracca.

Not really comparable.

Gold Coast play with monopoly money.