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

[Lore]

There we go, that's the clip:

 

[SSSSSS]

It has not been a pleasure. It's been a compulsive obligation.

But I'l miss it

Pleasure is relative.

Some people like a nice hot mug of coco on a winters day.

Some people like being trodden on by muscle mommies.

 

[boncer34]

He has told Hawthorn he wants to move to Essendon?

No. He's told them he doesn’t.

 

[bzparkes]

Pleasure is relative.

Some people like a nice hot mug of coco on a winters day.

Some people like being trodden on by muscle mommies.

 

[SSSSSS]

Not really. I and a few others have been saying that Essendon most likely won't do the trade unless we end up with a player we can wheel out AND pick 9 AND something that helps with securing Bewick and academy picks in the 2027 draft.

If Hawthorn wanted to make this trade, then they would have been doing the ground work talking to players who would be part of Essendon potentially being a contender in 3 years time, to get a player who will help them be a contender next year.

Yes, it looks like they aren't.

That wouldn't be enough, change the 2nd rounder to 2027 first round.

You really think that Essendon will have less harmony next year if they have an ex captain setting high standards for the youth while winning our best and fairest if he's got it in his mind that he'll be looking for a trade at the end of the year? Assuming that the fitness team does turn it around and Essendon has a fit list next year there is already infinitely less doom and gloom based disharmony, that far outweighs any negative feelings about Merrett thinking about leaving. So, they're in front for disharmony.

At next year's trade table Merrett is still contracted, so he won't be going anywhere for 2nd rounder! If he leaves end of next year, then Essendon have another year's development into all of the kids who debuted this year in more competitive games and at a club that has more competition for spots in the seniors, as well as 4 quality 18 year olds from this year. They'll have cash and the higher level of optimism means to go hard at the juicy free agents available. Merrett will either change his mind or he'll be traded for lots of points in the 2027 draft and enough salary cap room to get two free agents on record deals. The other option is, Merrett doesn't change his mind and is keen to get drafted to a club that doesn't come up with a deal that pleases Essendon again and they hold him to his 2027 contract.

After 2027, Hawthorn will have a forward line without Gunston, will be relying on Chol to be still be playing out of his skin and Sicily, Barass, Amon and Impey all older than Merrett. The first two are banged-up KPPs. Hawthorn need to move now on forwards and mids, or this build won't get past being a fringe contender and will have to start rebuilding after Tassie introduction subsides.

Mate the only thing the kids are going to learn from Merrett is how he hates the joint and wants to leave lol. He'll probably telling them to GTFOH as soon as you can.

It's not like his experience and work ethic has helped the culture one bit in the twelve years he's been there. What do you think he's going to magically turn around in 2026?

 

[lizard man]

Josh Jenkins

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Josh Jenkins

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36

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200cm

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108kg

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12.9

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2.1

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is not happy with Hawthorn’s tactics

 

[fishardansin]

Mate the only thing the kids are going to learn from Merrett is how he hates the joint and wants to leave lol. He'll probably telling them to GTFOH as soon as you can.

It's not like his experience and work ethic has helped the culture one bit in the twelve years he's been there. What do you think he's going to magically turn around in 2026?

Do you actually believe that?

 

[SSSSSS]

Josh Jenkins is not happy with Hawthornes tactics

Josh Jenkins would struggle to tie his own shoelaces.

 

[HeHateMe]

Josh Jenkins is not happy with Hawthornes tactics

Wait, so we aren't making fun of him this year we are taking him seriously

 

[lizard man]

Josh Jenkins would struggle to tie his own shoelaces.

Harsh

 

[SSSSSS]

Do you actually believe that?

Yes.

He's wanted out almost every year for the last four years.
His management have clearly stated if he doesn't leave this season they'll make the same move next year.

The bloke is fed up. He's downed tools. Given his all to a club that's going nowhere.
He'll still turn up every week and do his best as an individual but that's not a culture you're going to want to foster for the young draftees.

 

[lizard man]

Wait, so we aren't making fun of him this year we are taking him seriously

I thought he was a rising star in the media landscape?

 

[Scrads]

Josh Jenkins is not happy with Hawthorn’s tactics

Guys, pack it up. We've disappointed Josh Jenkins there's no coming back from here

 

[SA HAWK]

So if Merrett stays at Essendon whois captain next year?

 

[SSSSSS]

So if Merrett stays at Essendon whois captain next year?

Probably Crab McGrath.

Lol

 

[Conca Cuddle]

How?

It'll be awkward the first few days back. Then that's about it.

He'll continue to play well. And we'll continue to suck. It'll be regular scheduled programming.

Captain wanting desperately to get out. Assume he’s rightly stripped of the captaincy. Couldn’t imagine the relationship with the coach would be great.
All guesswork, but I’d be betting on it lingering for a long time.

 

[indianhawks]

Jordan Lewis was traded at 30 years old (Merrett is 30). He just finished runner up in the B&F in a top 4 team (missing out to Sam Mitchell). (Merrett just won the B&F at a bottom 4 team)

I remember being very unhappy about it, but turned out not too bad. Knowing this, we should absolutely move on from Merrett.

May be, we can grab someone amazing at pick 9 (Merritt himself was picked in 20s)

 

[TazHawk15]

Josh Jenkins is not happy with Hawthorn’s tactics

In that case the Hawks are doing the tactics perfectly.

Seriously is there anyone as thick as this bloke in footy media?

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Given how many times Brad Scott and Andrew Welsh

Andrew Welsh

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88kg

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1.6

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9.6

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7.4

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2.2

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4.0

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3.6

5star

have tried to convince Merrett to stay - I think there's a real lack of confidence in what they're doing over there.

 

[SSSSSS]

Essendon supporters have this weird delusion that Merrett was somehow mindcontrolled by the charming Sam Mitchell to want to walk out of the club.

This has been brewing for a lot longer and it has nothing to do with Hawthorn. This is an Essendon problem.

I mean I don't blame him for saying something like this when he has to deal with the same pack of spuds for 10+ years.



The guy is pissed at the club and he's been pissed for a long time. It's got all the signs of a burnt out employee needing a change in scenery.

He's not going to magically have a nap and come out all smiling. The resentment has been brewing for a while and until things change MASSIVELY at the club (hint: It's Essendon so it won't) it won't be going away.

 

[Hawks_Footy]

Few at Bombers HQ going to live or die by this decision today.. I hope they realise this is a moment in time they'll never get back

 

[bzparkes]

Essendon supporters have this weird delusion that Merrett was somehow mindcontrolled by the charming Sam Mitchell to want to walk out of the club.

This has been brewing for a lot longer. I mean I don't blame him for saying something like this when he has to deal with the same pack of spuds for 10+ years.

View attachment 2456786

The guy is pissed at the club and he's been pissed for a long time. It's got all the signs of a burnt out employee needing a change in scenery.

He's not going to magically have a nap and come out all smiling. The resentment has been brewing for a while and until things change MASSIVELY at the club (hint: It's Essendon so it won't) it won't be going away.

He was the one who chose to recommit though.

Essendon also gave him a pay bump after those comments.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

That pick 29 is now pick 31 after free agency compensation, not our future 2nd.

So our pick 9 becomes pick 14 & your pick 11 becomes pick 16?

Your future first is pick 14-16 and ours is 18-21?

Pick 14 and 18 or pick 16 and pick 14

Wow that's a massive difference

That is before all the bids and matching, they don't end up as that. Bottom line either trade for a better future 1 OR put Lewis/MacKensie up.

If you don't want to do either it's not going through that simple. Essendon won't accept scraps especially scraps in a poor draft.

You have way too much faith in our side to be near top 6 next year too

 

[txbyhull]

I suppose if you went to a nightclub and the best looking girls were all taken, then the fuglys would be the hottest ones there.

It’s more so like you’re dancing with the 9th hottest girl you have a chance with, and 5 other absolute 10s come in, but you never had a chance with them, you’re still getting with the 9th hottest girl possible for you either way

 

[TazHawk15]

So if Merrett stays at Essendon whois captain next year?

Surely they can’t go with that bloke who wears number 1 and spends the entire season doing sideways 20 metre chip kicks out of the backline.

They seriously couldn’t could they?

 

[Forward Press]

Long time reader, first time poster.

On the face of it, this seems overs - 30 years old, you may get at most three or four years of elite level football, and you get a handful of top picks and a promising young player in return. Objectively, it's nowhere near a shitty offer, especially when you consider the player has burnt their bridges and wants to go.

But - as Jake Niall wrote - it's a 'disruption tax'. You are attempting to poach the captain of your arch rival who is far better than the rest of the list. You made an overture towards a contracted player - a player who is indisputably an elite player and figurehead of a struggling club - and pissed off the club and the fanbase (and I hope you understand why they're pissed off). They aren't idiots - they know if they don't trade him, his value next year diminishes and any offers for his services will be far less, and there is the risk of having a disgruntled player affecting on and off-field performances.

However, Essendon have calculated it's worth the hard stance. Hawthorn, be prepared to stump up even more.

People (and it's not a coincidence those people are often Hawthorn fans) are wasting their time trying to draw an analogy with Jordan Lewis

Jordan Lewis

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86kg

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No current season stats available

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15.0

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6.8

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8.2

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4.8

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2.8

5star

or Oscar Allen

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Oscar Allen

Age

26

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196cm

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96kg

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Fwd

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9.8

2star

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6.6

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3.2

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3.8

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2.4

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1.1

4star

No current season stats available

D

8.6

3star

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5.8

3star

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2.8

3star

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3.8

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2.0

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G

1.2

4star

- those are entirely different circumstances.