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

[Lore]

There we go, that's the clip:

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Right, so your talent identification wasn’t good enough to pick up said limitations then but is now?

It’s improved so much that despite saying with certainty KPP’s sorted for the next decade 4 years ago and being horribly wrong, when you say it now I should believe you.

Cool.

Think in the case of DGB as an example. It’s understandable to think someone can move past those limitations with pre seasons of development into those physical aspects. The case was that it didn’t happen, and it was a serious limiting factor.

It’s not like we’re hearing Mraz is unable to do x y z but is still talented.

He performed at a high level in the 2s, very talented and physically talented aswell.

4 years is a long time in life let alone footy. You only have to look at Clayton Oliver to know half that time is enough to change plenty.

You will get it eventually.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

I think this reflects more poorly on Essendon than it does us....

It does i know everyone on here hates Hawthorn but that was literally as good as it could of gotten for Merrett.

Like this is a bloke who has stuck thin through a decade of shiteness at 30yrs old with 2-3 seasons left give him a chance at finals success.

Thats what i would be thinking anyways Welsh put his ego ahead of whats best for that club imo.

 

[Yoda_]

Hawthorn aren’t desperate to blow up their future for Merrett no.

10 (2025, F1 (2026), F1 (2027) 1st 22 (2025), and F2 is just unfathomably high and purely laughable.

they just didn't want to win now

 

[Dewyyyyy]

I actually think we were, and we almost did but Walsh came in with the save.

3 firsts is overs but bearable. 4 and a second is just wow.

 

[HeHateMe]

I'm actually so chuffed the deal fell though, felt sick in the stomach with the offers that were put out in the last 48 hours.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

they just didn't want to win now

Merrett doesn’t guarantee a flag, Hawthorn can win it with or without him. What giving up four firsts and a second does is significant set you back in terms of your future. There are always trade offs. Some more reasonable than others.

 

[Yoda_]

pick 10
2026 first
2026 2nd
2027 first

for Merrett and scraps would have got it done, Sydney paid up for an inferior Charlie Curnow

35

Charlie Curnow

Age

28

Ht

194cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.3

3star

K

9.7

4star

HB

3.6

3star

M

5.3

5star

T

2.2

4star

G

1.3

5star

No current season stats available

D

10.8

3star

K

6.4

3star

HB

4.4

4star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.8

4star

 

[10571z]

The official 2025 INDICATIVE DRAFT ORDER

https://www.afl.com.au/draft/draft-order

Don’t care how the AFL try to frame it. When you hand out extra picks and push teams back the picks lose value

 

[HeHateMe]

3 firsts is overs but bearable. 4 and a second is just wow.

Maybe for you, was making my stomach turn but was willing to back in the club.

 

[Shueygod]

Merrett doesn’t guarantee a flag, Hawthorn can win it with or without him. What giving up four firsts and a second does is significant set you back in terms of your future. There are always trade offs. Some more reasonable than others.

While I agree Merrett doesn’t guarantee a flag, they won’t win one without him.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Yes, Gold Coast have double digit top 10 picks from the last 4 years including this one to make/improve their team.

Hawks have?

Hawthorn have two firsts this year and one of their best players and an A Grader, is a mid season draft pick. Hawthorns development has always been strong.

There’s no doubt a lot of improvement, development and added depth/talent to a number of clubs, especially contenders. To ignore that for some and not for others is again an interesting angle to lean.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

While I agree Merrett doesn’t guarantee a flag, they won’t win one without him.

Laughable.

 

[Yoda_]

Merrett doesn’t guarantee a flag, Hawthorn can win it with or without him. What giving up four firsts and a second does is significant set you back in terms of your future. There are always trade offs. Some more reasonable than others.

exactly,

Essendon dont need picks for the now. They just debuted 15 players in 2025. mature players would be more beneficial, good players not fringe or unproven ones.

 

[boncer34]

So Hawks were told yesterday 9, F1, F2 and HH for Zac wasnt enough so changed their offer to 9, 22, F1, HH for Zac and a F3?

Is it just me or is that basically the same offer?

 

[Shueygod]

Hawthorn have two firsts this year and one of their best players and an A Grader, is a mid season draft pick. Hawthorns development has always been strong.

There’s no doubt a lot of improvement, development and added depth/talent to a number of clubs, especially contenders. To ignore that for some and not for others is again an interesting angle to lean.

Hawthorn have pick 13 and 22 this year, GC have two top 3 picks.

A laughable comparison.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

pick 10
2026 first
2026 2nd
2027 first

for Merrett and scraps would have got it done, Sydney paid up for an inferior Charlie Curnow

Essendon wanted

Pick 10 - first
Pick 22 - first
2026 - first
2027 - first
Future second rounder

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Hawthorn have pick 13 and 22 this year, GC have two top 3 picks.

A laughable comparison.

one of their best players and an A Grader, is a mid season draft pick. Hawthorns development has always been strong.

 

[Shueygod]

Laughable.

You are genuinely delusional if you see the Hawks having more natural improvement than GC.

 

[MarkJohnson#1]

Yep 2 first rounders and Hayward a best 22 player and then Florent on the side as a bonus

Three first round picks and Will Hayward! Significantly better offer than what we were subject to.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

exactly,

Essendon dont need picks for the now. They just debuted 15 players in 2025. mature players would be more beneficial, good players not fringe or unproven ones.

Essendon need top end talent, which is exactly what 10, 22 and a F1 get you.

Especially if you trade up to get further into the top 10. Then trading for picks in 27 for your bids.

Instead keeping Merrett who doesn’t move the needle at all now or in the future.

 

[Shueygod]

Dewyyyyy

Hawks development so good 6/11 of their top 11 came from other clubs?

7 including Gunston

 

[HeHateMe]

So Hawks were told yesterday 9, F1, F2 and HH for Zac wasnt enough so changed their offer to 9, 22, F1, HH for Zac and a F3?

Is it just me or is that basically the same offer?

Correct sir, we hit our limit yesterday and then tried something to try and make it more enticing. In the end we didn't have a GC bag of draft picks to offer.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

I get Essendon supporters saying the deal came late so we didn’t have time to convince a player of note to want to come to Essendon, but we all knew this was a prospect for weeks, Essendon could have been proactive the weeks leading up to trade to find someone (maybe they did and nobody cared)

No winners here, Hawthorn huge chance to get a player that could make the difference in a premiership tilt, Essendon a huge chance to cash in on a disgruntled player & it’s not like having him has worked out, they aren’t a contender & for Merrett, he has problem done everything he can to help Essendon succeed over his career and it’s just hasn’t worked from a team point of view & now he is stuck, but probably should have addressed this prior to his last contract so he made his bed to a degree

Essendon didn't seem to approach any players from any clubs across the entire trade period except Fiorini.

Their version of winning trade week is to keep a contracted player to their contract.

I guess that's the Essendon Swagger that Welsh was promising?

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Seriously what's the go with gaslighting Essendon's management?

Just because Merrett asked to leave doesn't compel them to agree.

As Ross Lyon has parroted for two weeks, good clubs with good programs don't let contracted players leave.

 

[Deepthroat]

Q: What's the AFL equivalent of a girlfriend being told by her boyfriend he wants a break, to then go on to key his car and tell him a lie that she'd pregnant to have him stay?

A: Essendon.