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

[bommer16]

I am very disappointed in the club.
The offer wasn’t terrific but was not horrific
Zac doesn’t want to be at the club and cannot be the captain.
Our rebuild could have been boosted but not to be.
I can’t see everyone cheering for Zac next year.
Am I wrong?

I’d still clap for him. He’s given 12 years of service. He’s carried us many times in games. 6 x bnf. I’d didn’t want him to go.

 

[thepokey]

Another upside of this is it means people need to take us, or other clubs more seriously when we stand firm. There can't just be this default expectation that contracted players always get their way in the end. If we say the deal isn't good enough and we walk away unless it's improved then that becomes more of a reality now. People saying "but Hawthorn couldn't improve it any more" - thats a Hawthorn problem. Its up to them to provide us a deal that we want, not for us to accept the best they can offer. And if they can't do that then they should work harder with other clubs to secure what they don't have.

 

[YEMOC NAYR]

Can't believe the hustwait deal fell through

 

[katana]

Interested to see what they say. The fact that we already have five picks in the top 30 would be a big factor I think. That would’ve given us seven, which is probably more than we can take.

is it really that hard to move picks? we have completely cooked this.

 

[ant555]

At the end of the day I am sure Zach will front up and play at 100% and prepare the way he always does. Personally I thought it was a chance to move on. Not convinced they made the right call.

 

[Blind Turn]

Next year we entertain multiple teams and we explain to Zach that if he really wants out he will need to respect our direction in this trade shenanigans. He needs to explore his options with other contenders and if he still favours the Hawks then they will need to outbid other suitors. That’s how a contract works. The club will respect your choices if you respect our sovereignty over your value to the club. I seriously have no idea why the industry thinks we should be entertaining the Hawks alone in this. If they haven’t got the tokens then other clubs with more tokens should be brought to the table. Anyhoo, I wasn’t fussed if he left for decent return. I just really wanted Hawthorn out of the frame. Not just because they are pricks but because they weren’t allowing competition in the marketplace.

 

[JayJ20]

I'm not happy with our approach. Four firsts was never going to happen. As terrible as Hawthorn were throughout the negotiation process, we could have moved on and rebuilt through the draft.

If we said 2025, 2026 and 2027 firsts, then Hawthorn would likely have completed the deal and we'd have options for a Bewick bid.

 

[Phone]

Another upside of this is it means people need to take us, or other clubs more seriously when we stand firm. There can't just be this default expectation that contracted players always get their way in the end. If we say the deal isn't good enough and we walk away unless it's improved then that becomes more of a reality now. People saying "but Hawthorn couldn't improve it any more" - thats a Hawthorn problem. Its up to them to provide us a deal that we want, not for us to accept the best they can offer. And if they can't do that then they should work harder with other clubs to secure what they don't have.

this doesn't even make sense when we literally did the same thing with Daniher in recent years. it's just hopium

 

[calyam]

12 or 24 months from now there will be lot of posts saying we should have taken the deal.

 

[jannissary]

What deal? Zach for pick 10 that slides to 14-15 and basically a 2nd round pick next year? We don’t have room for the player they offered or the 2nd round pick they offered this year

that's my thoughts, unless we're planning on getting rid of all of lual, hobbs and setterfield, we wouldn't have enough spaces anyway

 

[MiguelM]

A lesson for players and agents in this one

Yeah, good to see. Clubs taking back some control. I wonder if these big long term contracts will be fewer.

Petroro looks like he never shuts up. All talk no substance.

 

[Happyskeret]

Well that’s the most eventful unevent I have witnessed in some time.

 

[The Donners]

eh, comparing trades with whatever Gold Coast does is a fools errand imo. they have their own currency system

In context it’s market value for a 30-year old (Petracca 30 before round 1).

 

[Petrify]

I'm not happy with our approach. Four firsts was never going to happen. As terrible as Hawthorn were throughout the negotiation process, we could have moved on and rebuilt through the draft.

If we said 2025, 2026 and 2027 firsts, then Hawthorn would likely have completed the deal and we'd have options for a Bewick bid.

We actually wanted a player like Mackenzie. Hawthorn ruled out giving players completely. What else can we ask for other than all their first round picks?

 

[JayJ20]

12 or 24 months from now there will be lot of posts saying we should have taken the deal.

We'll be comparing Essendon and Carlton's approach for a long time I think. I like Carlton's approach better.

 

[Zach Package]

Just seen Petroro packing up and leaving.

A grown man with a backpack is never worth listening to

 

[joey_jo_jo]

Strip the captaincy of him and park him permanently on the half back line to play a zorko role, give the keys to the midfield to the guys that want to be here.

 

[Blind Turn]

Umm...look, honestly, I was ambivalent about the price we were offering. But on what planet do you think you're getting a good price for him next year? A fourth 1st rounder would have been forthcoming for a player in his mid-20s perhaps. 31 year old is quite another story.

As I mentioned above, we get appropriate return when there is a fair marketplace. If several clubs are bidding, the value goes up. Let’s see how your club copes if the Bulldogs groom him next year and he’s a bit put off by your inability to get the deal done this year.

 

[thepokey]

this doesn't even make sense when we literally did the same thing with Daniher in recent years. it's just hopium

Ok lets just trade anyone for anything anyone offers us any time they want to go.

So it happened one time recently, and every situation is exactly the same I guess? Daniher was a bit of a special case, he also could barely get on the park but isn't a fraction of the professional that Merrett is in terms of knuckling down and doing the best he can for us if he has to walk back into the club. I was more in favour of trading Daniher. I mean hell, I was still in favour of trading Merrett too, just not for what Hawthorn were offering.

 

[JayJ20]

We actually wanted a player like Mackenzie. Hawthorn ruled out giving players completely. What else can we ask for other than all their first round picks?

I don't believe it is Hawthorn that ruled it out. The player has to want to come. If the player doesn't want to come, then Hawthorn won't force them to leave.

 

[katana]

and on top of all the nonsense we've pissed off a prominent player manager.

 

[JayJ20]

Regardless of our opinion, we can all agree that Merrett cannot be the captain next year.

 

[Petrify]

I don't believe it is Hawthorn that ruled it out. The player has to want to come. If the player doesn't want to come, then Hawthorn won't force them to leave.

Hayward was essentially forced to leave for the Curnow deal. It's happened many times in the past. If Hawthorn try hard enough they can force them out.

 

[wiltho]

12 or 24 months from now there will be lot of posts saying we should have taken the deal.

Given we know the picks that were offered, we will be able to scrutinise this decision, knowing what players we would have got.

 

[naraku]

Hawks have gone for and missed: Merrett, Allen, Reid and to a degree, Petracca and JDG.


Merrett should have been more open about leaving and opted for more than just Hawthorne.