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

[Lore]

There we go, that's the clip:

 

[Lore]

This is ridiculous, if they knew Merrett was unhappy with their meeting on the future of the club, was asking for an out and that the Hawks were circling for weeks, and had a meeting where they voted they would not be trading him, then they can't say they were blindsided because "we didn't think it would actually happen".

Didn't say he asked for an out. Everyone's saying he still hasn't asked for an out. That's the issue.

And he brought his manager to that meeting with the intention of hammering out a contract extension. The discussion turned to the future of the club, a list analysis that went for two hours, and he left unhappy.

And then Draper officially leaves.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

But the fact of Zach meeting with Mitchell still blindsided him. That's a different thing to assessing your options, trying to get a pay rise or pressure the club into making decisions that suit your own interests as he's done in the past. He's completely abdicated responsibility for the future of the club in that moment.

I think you’ve almost got it.

Merrett and Petroro blew up the relationship.

Do you think they did this because:
1. Zach had no previous discussion with Brad about a desire to leave?

Or

2. Just out of spite due to the Essendon boards declaration?

I think it’s pretty clear that Essendon knew where Zach’s head was at, which is why it was a topic of conversation and why they made the statement after the board meeting.
This is why I find the blindsided talk utter rubbish, and you yourself have even outlined why it makes a mockery of all that we know.

Essendon weren’t blindsided, they were simply pissed that Merrett and Petroro blew this whole thing up and completely disregarded the narrative that they’d tried to sell the members.

 

[Lore]

I think you’ve almost got it.

Merrett and Petroro blew up the relationship.

Do you think they did this because:
1. Zach had no previous discussion with Brad about a desire to leave?

Or

2. Just out of spite due to the Essendon boards declaration?

I think it’s pretty clear that Essendon knew where Zach’s head was at, which is why it was a topic of conversation and why they made the statement after the board meeting.
This is why I find the blindsided talk utter rubbish, and you yourself have even outlined why it makes a mockery of all that we know.

Essendon weren’t blindsided, they were simply pissed that Merrett and Petroro blew this whole thing up and completely disregarded the narrative that they’d tried to sell the members.

Finish reading the thread first and then there's an article Barrett wrote today too. First five paragraphs are a bit of fun, then you have four paragraphs recounting how we got here. The bit under that is more interesting. And then get your popcorn ready for a finale that snipes our president, just for lulz.

BARRETT: Merrett must go after schoolyard fight with Dons turns nasty

The immature behaviour on display in Zach Merrett's dust-up with Essendon has pushed the relationship past the point of no return, writes Damian Barrett

www.afl.com.au

 

[Lore]

I think you’ve almost got it.

Merrett and Petroro blew up the relationship.

Do you think they did this because:
1. Zach had no previous discussion with Brad about a desire to leave?

Or

2. Just out of spite due to the Essendon boards declaration?

I think it’s pretty clear that Essendon knew where Zach’s head was at, which is why it was a topic of conversation and why they made the statement after the board meeting.
This is why I find the blindsided talk utter rubbish, and you yourself have even outlined why it makes a mockery of all that we know.

Essendon weren’t blindsided, they were simply pissed that Merrett and Petroro blew this whole thing up and completely disregarded the narrative that they’d tried to sell the members.

p.s.

are you still trying to argue Brad knew about the Mitchell meeting on Monday? Or did the goal posts move to just saying that he knew Merrett was exploring his options for the nth time? Because I agree with the latter. It's the former you lot were trying to argue for, originally.

 

[HairyO]

Couldn’t even get the pick we have right

Maybe we get rid of Scrimshaw for pick 7 and give that to Essendon because they wont budge on not wanting pick 8.

 

[Come back Cyril]

Pick 7, future first and Mackenzie will be around the mark.

Only if you're trading us Will Ashcroft.

 

[Lore]

Couple of journos are suggesting it will need to involve a third club

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

p.s.

are you still trying to argue Brad knew about the Mitchell meeting on Monday? Or did the goal posts move to just saying that he knew Merrett was exploring his options for the nth time? Because I agree with the latter. It's the former you lot were trying to argue for, originally.

I’ve never made that argument.

 

[HairyO]

Couple of journos are suggesting it will need to involve a third club

Brisbane should definitely help out.

 

[Lore]

Brisbane should definitely help out.

Would give Elixuh a reason to be here I guess

 

[Lore]

I’ve never made that argument.

Well then I guess you don't need to get involved

 

[Elixuh]

Would give Elixuh a reason to be here I guess

I’m just trying to help achieve a peaceful resolution

 

[RCAB]

Pick 7, future first and Mackenzie will be around the mark.

Before....

Yes. Now?


No.


Essendon cooked this. Even if they get fair compo, they’ve torched their captain on the way out... which makes the next leader’s job harder and makes them look like a club that eats its own. Hawthorn and Petroro can sit back and let the pressure do the work.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Well then I guess you don't need to get involved

You’ve lost me.

I’m also confused by what the Barrett article was meant to show/prove.

 

[Lore]

Before....

Yes. Now?


No.


Essendon cooked this. Even if they get fair compo, they’ve torched their captain on the way out... which makes the next leader’s job harder and makes them look like a club that eats its own. Hawthorn and Petroro can sit back and let the pressure do the work.

What do you think Essendon are going to do if Petroro and Hawthorn do nothing?

Petroro would get fired for a start

 

[Lore]

You’ve lost me.

I’m also confused by what the Barrett article was meant to show/prove.

The Barrett article talks about how Petroro usually handles things and how he's close with Craig Vozzo. Suggests the hyper aggressive approach is being driven by the player rather than his manager.

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

Looking at how inept Essendon seem to be at formulating a coherent strategy on this my revised view is that this is predatory behaviour by Hawthorn. Preying on a shambolic club. The AFL needs to step in.

Haha holy shit the lack of self awareness is astounding. Almost impressive

 

[rei154]

Has a club ever handled a player wanting out worse?
From the very start both board and players have made things as hostile for Zach as possible and have done all they can do make it harder for him to communicate with the public as well as those inside the four walls and there doesn't seem to be a logical reason as to why.

So far Zach has almost been maneuvered into a position where he cannot possibly comment publicly safely, and hasn't been given a way to reconnect with the club.
At this point, the club and the media landscape have made it next to impossible for Zach to walk back into the club at all and there's something incredibly sad about a club in as dire straits as Essendon turning on their favoured son because of a conversation with a rival.
This will honestly go down as a case study into the worst possible way to handle internal disputes like this.

When airing your dirty laundry, do it in your own backyard, don't make a display of it

 

[Pns_blister]

Bombers hold the whip and Hawks will role play the horse. Prepare yourself for some lashings Hawks supporters

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

that would depend on the player.

Pick 8 + Hawks F1 + a player is bang around the money IMO whats going to happen. Pending who the player is, something may go back.

THats roughly where I think it will land, give or take.

Lol no chance mate. Sorry

It will be a first and a player, likely our F1 given how Essendon seem determined to shred any leverage they might have

 

[BIGHAWK23]

This is the worst handling of a player leaving since Aker

Have to trade
Can’t walk back in

Anyone who thinks otherwise is either bias (which is reasonable for Essendon fans) or just straight clueless

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

This is the worst handling of a player leaving since Aker

Have to trade
Can’t walk back in

Anyone who thinks otherwise is either bias (which is reasonable for Essendon fans) or just straight clueless

He'll get traded for the right price tho

 

[dmark]

Bombers hold the whip and Hawks will role play the horse. Prepare yourself for some lashings Hawks supporters

 

[Lore]

Stop reaching

Read it yourself. It's all there in black and white

 

[BIGHAWK23]

Bombers hold the whip and Hawks will role play the horse. Prepare yourself for some lashings Hawks supporters

Yeah

No, whip hand with Hawthorn

“Take him back then, oh you don’t want to”

Here’s a F1 and HH

Take the first deal bombers