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

[Lore]

There we go, that's the clip:

 

[BattlerGM]

what were these four first rounders?

was it like Christian Petracca first rounders or Jeremy Cameron from Geelong first rounders?


asking for a friend

I would love to know why this factor keeps getting overlooked.

Currently, the first round goes to 23. So 20, 21, 22 and 23 equals four first rounders. Package them all up for a single pick and what do you get? Pick 8? 10? Obviously Hawthorn offered more than that but the whole 'x first rounders' is often not what it seems

Paying 10, 22, 26F1, 26F2 and 27F1 (the briefly mentioned '4 firsts and a second' trade) still would have been less overall that what GC paid for Tracc.

 

[Yoda_]

Galvanised essendon except your captain...yeah that works

hes profesional. Zac has expressed an interest to be elsewhere before, hasn't worked, come back, worked hard and won more club B&F's (even if its at a shit storm club like mine)

 

[FlyHigh18]

I think Essendon should have accepted and moved on. The picks were honestly worth more than retaining Merrett for 2 years. It’s not like he’s going to get any better.

But as a spectator I’m happy. They prevented the hawks from getting the flag next year while screwing themselves at the same time

 

[Dockers26]

It's been fun.

Honestly this is the best result for us.

Just not for Zach.

Hilarious.

Tell me you are salty without telling me you are salty !!

 

[Dewyyyyy]

may as well said they didnt try very hard if they didnt bother asking any other players

Essendon didnt ask about any players from Hawthorn was his point

Offering 3 firsts is trying plenty, great offer. Essendon wanted 4 and a second which is just not happening so both move on.

It’s like North thinking they’d get 2 firsts for Simpkin, laughable.

 

[Yoda_]

I would love to know why this factor keeps getting overlooked.

Currently, the first round goes to 23. So 20, 21, 22 and 23 equals four first rounders. Package them all up for a single pick and what do you get? Pick 8? 10? Obviously Hawthorn offered more than that the whole 'x first rounders' is often not what it seems

Paying 10, 22, 26F1, 26F2 and 27F1 (the briefly mentioned '4 firsts and a second' trade) still would have been less overall that what GC paid for Tracc.

point was do the work yourself, dont get Essendon to do it.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Im certain that if Hawthorn played this much more mature the deal would have been done.

going behind clubs back, using a media mouthpiece to try and blow the joint up, leaving it late, shit offer, trying to conintually stir the pot, suggesting they hold the narrative (it was always EFC who held the whip).

All of that shit you just said is rumours you are believing to be true. You could spin it any way you want.

 

[TY24]

They asked for 4x 1st rounders and a 2nd rounder, which was and is completely laughable.

They're entitled to ask for whatever the **** they want for their contracted player.

Don't court the player if you're not willing to pay the asking price.

The Barrass trade has zero relevance here, so not sure why you've brought that up. Wouldn't expect anything less from you though.

 

[Shueygod]

Being injured is a temporary thing if that player then comes back and performs at a high level.

Merrett is playing till 38 but two career best form half backs are gonna be done and dusted by 33.

Make it make sense.

Him being injured now is not a great sign for his ability to stay injury free when he’s older.

I don’t know where I said Merrett will play til 38.

How many wingmen/HB’s are performing to a high level at 33?

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Why is Essendon copping heat here?

Essendon, NM and St.K were targeted for contracted players, two of which club captains. None of them were offered overs and all stayed.

Well done to them.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Suggest you look at what Sydney ponied up for Curnow to actually land their man.

Suggest you follow your own advice.

 

[Yoda_]

All of that shit you just said is rumours you are believing to be true. You could spin it any way you want.

its an educated guess, the educated part has a fair bit of evidence behind it. The wool isnt pulled over the masses eyes

Tom PEtroro is a grub, tried to throw a tantrum late and even that didn't work.

 

[Shueygod]

Refusing to bend over?
They were offered the biggest deal that's ever been offered. They asked for 4x 1st rounders and a 2nd rounder, which was and is completely laughable.

West Coast fans continuing to be mentally ruined by the Barrass trade is the best.

How can you still say with a straight face it’s the biggest deal ever offered?

When it’s not even the second biggest deal offered today.

You’re a joke of a poster.

 

[GinniAndTonic]

Suggest you look at what Sydney ponied up for Curnow to actually land their man.

We literally offered more wtf do you mean?

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Good old frosty, still going strong. god bless

King

If anyone thinks Hawthorn would be worried about Barrass or Gunston in a few years is funny, both have replacements already.

Gunston also came off a nearly career best season, Barrass played the most games in his career.

 

[MinerBoy]

Clearly you weren't because he's not a Hawthorn player, is he?

No, but that’s because happily our club management isn’t incompetent, not because we didn’t do the right thing by Merrett.

Feel for him, and Essendon supporters too to be honest. Concerning leadership.

 

[Petrie4PM]

Bombers fans - do you honestly think his output will be the same in 2026?
I bet he will not win another B and F

 

[CobberRodgers]

Any sympathy for Henry Hustwaite? Missed the opportunity of a lifetime.

The only winner out of all of this

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Okay, good luck with that. By the time their replacements are a good standard, the next group of Sicily, Amon, Impey are gone. By the time their replacements are found, Meek/Nash/Chol need replacing.

Gonna be a long period of mid table mediocrity for the Hawks coming up I suspect.

The replacements are already at the club and will likely be the ones to push out those players before they’re even “done”.

So funny

 

[ceebsaf]

well done to essondon for standing firm. the tears from hok fans have made 2025 a wonderful season.

 

[gillon]

To put things into perspective - GC's pick 7 and 8 alone usurp Hawthorn's entire package for Merrett. That's not even accounting for the future first round pick they gave up for Trac.

 

[Dark Eagle 9]

No Merrett & no Allen for the mangie mutts at Hawthorn...... thats gold. Ballsiest thing ever by the Dons. Respect.

 

[sleep]

Hawks fans on life support - especially Dewwwy.

 

[ReturningHawk]

Round 1 - ZM to burst away from the centre bounce and kick it straight to Chol, Miles Bergman style?

 

[MinerBoy]

the price was, is, and will always be in the eyes of the beholder.

I’d say the beer holder in this case