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

[Lore]

There we go, that's the clip:

 

[HirdsTheWord]

'the deal that satisfies us' is hollow chest beating.

Everyone knows what Hawthorn has. If some combination from that isn't enough so be it.

Hawthorn has an entire playing list + picks as far as a am concerned.

They are all on the table in some shape or manner to get Merrett. Whether its picks, players or a mix of both, whatever.

The idea we should roll over and take a shit offer is laughable, and its not going to be any less laughable the more you suggest it lol.

If we dont get what we want. Keep him, thats what id be doing.

 

[Sonny Hayes]

Would you say the same if a rival coach met with James Sicily?

Yes? All clubs and players do it.

 

[Lore]

More details from Tom Morris: https://www.nine.com.au/sport/afl/n...orn-hawks-nuclear-option-20250910-p5mu06.html

"For a contracted captain to catch up with a rival coach at a private residence is one thing. To do so three days out from a semi-final is another altogether. It's brazen, but I'm here for it. It speaks to how keen the Hawks are to add A-Grade polish to their midfield, and how serious the 29-year-old is about a change of scene. Mitchell's wife Lyndall played a crucial role in convincing Josh Battle

24

Josh Battle

Age

27

Ht

193cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.9

3star

K

9.0

3star

HB

3.9

3star

M

5.0

5star

T

2.4

4star

MG

196.8

3star

D

11.0

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

3.8

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.8

3star

MG

142.8

3star

D

10.8

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

4.6

4star

M

3.4

4star

T

2.0

4star

MG

175.6

3star

and his partner Casey to join the Hawks family in 2024, and she was equally involved on Tuesday night with Merrett's partner Alexandra."

"Brad Scott will speak on AFL 360 tonight, while CEO Craig Vozzo will be on SEN on Thursday morning. Both suspected Merrett wanted out, but neither had been told categorically this was the case before he met with Hawthorn."

"Merrett's manager, Tom Petroro from TGI Sports, is close to Vozzo. He will be key in first opening Essendon's mind to the possibility of a trade, before eventually brokering one with a rival club. The player agent is a conduit in trade discussions. Some are more involved than others. Petroro will know this is a daunting task, but nothing he hasn't faced before."

 

[Altum Volantes]

More details from Tom Morris: https://www.nine.com.au/sport/afl/n...orn-hawks-nuclear-option-20250910-p5mu06.html

"For a contracted captain to catch up with a rival coach at a private residence is one thing. To do so three days out from a semi-final is another altogether. It's brazen, but I'm here for it. It speaks to how keen the Hawks are to add A-Grade polish to their midfield, and how serious the 29-year-old is about a change of scene. Mitchell's wife Lyndall played a crucial role in convincing Josh Battle and his partner Casey to join the Hawks family in 2024, and she was equally involved on Tuesday night with Merrett's partner Alexandra."

"Brad Scott will speak on AFL 360 tonight, while CEO Craig Vozzo will be on SEN on Thursday morning. Both suspected Merrett wanted out, but neither had been told categorically this was the case before he met with Hawthorn."

"Merrett's manager, Tom Petroro from TGI Sports, is close to Vozzo. He will be key in first opening Essendon's mind to the possibility of a trade, before eventually brokering one with a rival club. The player agent is a conduit in trade discussions. Some are more involved than others. Petroro will know this is a daunting task, but nothing he hasn't faced before."

Something has to give in this league I think.

Clubs are sitting ducks and players (and their managers especialy) are in complete control not only of the player's destination, contracted or not, but also of the media narrative around a move - the 'AFL World' as they like to call it, is so damn tIny that all it takes is 2-3 Tom Morris's in your pocket and you can literally make it near impossible for a club to retain a contracted player without serious PR headaches.

PS - and seriously, did Morris change any of that before he put his name on it or did he just submit whatever Tom Petoro from TGI Sports had sent across?

 

[TONYC3163]

More details from Tom Morris: https://www.nine.com.au/sport/afl/n...orn-hawks-nuclear-option-20250910-p5mu06.html

"For a contracted captain to catch up with a rival coach at a private residence is one thing. To do so three days out from a semi-final is another altogether. It's brazen, but I'm here for it. It speaks to how keen the Hawks are to add A-Grade polish to their midfield, and how serious the 29-year-old is about a change of scene. Mitchell's wife Lyndall played a crucial role in convincing Josh Battle and his partner Casey to join the Hawks family in 2024, and she was equally involved on Tuesday night with Merrett's partner Alexandra."

"Brad Scott will speak on AFL 360 tonight, while CEO Craig Vozzo will be on SEN on Thursday morning. Both suspected Merrett wanted out, but neither had been told categorically this was the case before he met with Hawthorn."

"Merrett's manager, Tom Petroro from TGI Sports, is close to Vozzo. He will be key in first opening Essendon's mind to the possibility of a trade, before eventually brokering one with a rival club. The player agent is a conduit in trade discussions. Some are more involved than others. Petroro will know this is a daunting task, but nothing he hasn't faced before."

Lyndall; Hawks (not so) secret weapon.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

Something has to give in this league I think.

Clubs are sitting ducks and players (and their managers especialy) are in complete control not only of the player's destination, contracted or not, but also of the media narrative around a move - the 'AFL World' as they like to call it, is so damn tIny that all it takes is 2-3 Tom Morris's in your pocket and you can literally make it near impossible for a club to retain a contracted player without serious PR headaches.

PS - and seriously, did Morris change any of that before he put his name on it or did he just submit whatever Tom Petoro from TGI Sports had sent across?

i'm not sure its linear across all players issues wanting to break contracts

Good clubs foster environments where players want to stay. Essendon is a shit show across the board, so its also their duty to create environments that players want to stay in.

There literally is not one part of this club where i look as a supporter and think its ran well, it stinks across all facets. The only reason we are so financially stable is because of blind shear faith from supporters.

Essendon has itself to blame for a lot of issues, yeah i want players to keep loyal to the paper they sign, but it goes both ways. Theres zero doubt Essendon promised merrett it would get better. It hasn't. Thats on them also.

Anyways i dont care, just get the right value for him for us, and move him on.

 

[Altum Volantes]

i'm not sure its linear across all players issues wanting to break contracts

Good clubs foster environments where players want to stay. Essendon is a shit show across the board, so its also their duty to create environments that players want to stay in.

There literally is not one part of this club where i look as a supporter and think its ran well. The only reason we are so financially stable is because of blind shear faith from supporters.

Essendon has itself to blame for a lot of issues, yeah i want players to keep loyal to the paper they sign, but it goes both ways. Theres zero doubt Essendon promised merrett it would get better. It hasn't. Thats on them also.

Anyways i dont care, just get the right value for him for us, and move him on.

You got Mat Inness out of the Eagles mate, we are gutted, on the bright side, your injuries are about to get a lot better.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

You got Mat Inness out of the Eagles mate, we are gutted, on the bright side, your injuries are about to get a lot better.

We also just hired David Regan as the senior strength and conditioning coach who's moved back to Australia from America has done work the NBA,MLB and the NFL over the last 11 years seems a quality get.

​

 

[Ash1337]

Reminds me of Ryan Griffin wanting out of the Dogs. Is he upset at the coaching around the club? Trading out a captain is not the end of the world though. Weird they're approaching clubs instead of the other way around but pushes the narrative there's something wrong at the hanger. Dogs mentioned now too.

 

[Burtman]

We didn't trade you Carlton's pick, we just thought they would finish higher than you this year. When I say they I mean the club, certainly not me.

Having pick 8 instead of pick 13-18 is a bonus, but I don't think just having your own picks this year would prevent you from being able to get a Merrett deal done.

No but you could’ve taken 14 last year and we wouldn’t have done the Carlton deal, so it was another nice little bonus from that whole situation

 

[triple treat]

The timing and optics of the deal more than anything. Same as meeting Oscar earlier in the year. Just has zero self awareness.

Hey mate, sorry to be a bother but is there any chance you can pop over to the Petracca thread and provide some laughs there as well?

Thanks in advance

 

[Philhawk]

Hawthorn has an entire playing list + picks as far as a am concerned.

They are all on the table in some shape or manner to get Merrett. Whether its picks, players or a mix of both, whatever.

The idea we should roll over and take a shit offer is laughable, and its not going to be any less laughable the more you suggest it lol.

If we dont get what we want. Keep him, thats what id be doing.

The fact his management has leaked this serves to make the situation pretty untenable.

It's fair to try and hold a player if you know he's all in.

He's not, he's your captain - and he's about to receive your B+F in a month.

There's no point posturing here.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

The fact his management has leaked this serves to make the situation pretty untenable.

It's fair to try and hold a player if you know he's all in.

He's not, he's your captain - and he's about to receive your B+F in a month.

There's no point posturing here.

Zac shouldn't even bother turning up to the b&f. In fact it were me i would give the medal to the second best player even tho Zac is the clear winner

 

[HairyO]

Reminds me of Ryan Griffin wanting out of the Dogs. Is he upset at the coaching around the club? Trading out a captain is not the end of the world though. Weird they're approaching clubs instead of the other way around but pushes the narrative there's something wrong at the hanger. Dogs mentioned now too.

Dogs won that easily. Boyd was huge in the grand final.

Essendon would know that our 22nd to 28th best players are very good and would easily slot into best 22 at Essendon. The idea that we are trading a young gun for a 30 year old Merrett is ridiculous. It simply wont happen.

So thinking about pick 8 and a Box Hill player, or maybe 2 Box Hill players.

Of course that requires those players wanting to go to Essendon. But if we do get Merrett and Petracca and have Day coming back from injury, with only Worpel leaving the 22nd to 28th best players on our list are only playing games if we have injuries.

Essendon have picks and young players and an opportunity to build a proper list. Getting rid of Stringer was a good start. Losing Draper isnt good - but his injuries mean you cant depend on him.

Losing Merrett also isnt good short term, but he isnt seriously in the long term plans of winning finals and winning flags.

 

[Philhawk]

Zac shouldn't even bother turning up to the b&f in fact it were me i would give the medal to the second best player even is Zacs the clear winner

Can't do that. Devalues what is actually a pretty important medal internally.

Your problem is that he's clearly the only person who was gonna win it and you cant fudge the numbers.

 

[bzparkes]

3 x 1sts + Weddle gets it done, I reckon.

 

[TONYC3163]

3 x 1sts + Weddle gets it done, I reckon.

LOL, the troll arrives—good one.

 

[Philhawk]

3 x 1sts + Weddle gets it done, I reckon.

Probably slight unders. Throw in Watson and we get a 4th back and it's probably fairer.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Hawthorn has an entire playing list + picks as far as a am concerned.

They are all on the table in some shape or manner to get Merrett. Whether its picks, players or a mix of both, whatever.

The idea we should roll over and take a shit offer is laughable, and its not going to be any less laughable the more you suggest it lol.

If we dont get what we want. Keep him, thats what id be doing.

Zac’s manager has just leaked out that he’s been talking to 3 clubs and has met with Hawthorn only hours after it happened.

Your captain is making it very clear he wants out.
Your bargaining power is eroded.

The emperor has no clothes.

 

[bzparkes]

Probably slight unders. Throw in Watson and we get a 4th back and it's probably fairer.

Yep, then after all that, rip up his contract and make him walk to the PSD.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I’ve had ex-girlfriends less jilted than Eagles posters.

 

[bzparkes]

LOL, the troll arrives—good one.

Unders you reckon?

 

[BIGHAWK23]

I’ve had ex-girlfriends less jilted than Eagles posters.

It’s baffling

Essendon fans are less upset

 

[bzparkes]

I’ve had ex-girlfriends less jilted than Eagles posters.

Come on SYL, Weddle is the key to every trade, the answer to the universe even.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Zac’s manager has just leaked out that he’s been talking to 3 clubs and has met with Hawthorn only hours after it happened.

Your captain is making it very clear he wants out.
Your bargaining power is eroded.

The emperor has no clothes.

That's fine he's contracted for another 2 years we hold the whip hand here not Hawks or Zac. Dont care if he sulks for 2 years and we get a lot less when he's ooc club needs to make a stand that unless it's a deal that's heavily in our favor he stays.