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

[Lore]

There we go, that's the clip:

 

[Unfazed]

Hawthorn’s position strengthens either way and they look patient and disciplined while Essendon looks reactionary and pride-driven.

Wouldn't patient and disciplined be waiting until Merrett's legally binding contract had expired?

 

[BigT]

I dont think you realise that Pick 5 and 6 will end up being the 10th and 11th ranked players after academy selections.
Involving WC means other picks can be involved in the nut and bolts of the deal. It also guarantees we get pick 1 or 2, without doing a separate trade that could fall over.
We could possibly switch the pick 9 in the deal where we get that and West Cost get Hawks future first.

Fully aware. But it doesn’t change who we have access to.

So under your position - does it change your mind if we did actually end up with. Pick 5 and 6 because no one bid on the academy players? Which has a history of happening. Our access hasn’t changed to the players available.

I honestly don’t know why I expected more intelligent conversation. It’s why I haven’t been here for years.

 

[Call Me Cake]

What essendon supporters seem to be expecting is a return for a prime Merrett in his mid-20s.

What we would rightly be asking for as a club is a return for what would be Hawthorn's best midfielder by a country mile.




A 6 x best and fairest, proving his consistency.

Never injured, proving his longevity.

A player that would be 30 for all of season 2026, 31 for all of season 2027, 32 for all of season 2028 and 33 for all of season 2029.

That's 4 full seasons before he even reaches his 34th birthday. Nothing in terms of the modern day mid.

A player that has literally won games off his own boot. That's not "delusion", it's backed up with stats and the overall sentiment across the league.

If clubs want a "plug-in" elite mid (who's contracted) that can play a vital role in delivering a flag rather than bottoming out and spending up to 7 years to get it, while hoping it aligns with the rest of the list that's peaking on the off-chance that the pick isn't a bust, then the price is set by that.

If it's about winning a flag while taking advantage of an apparent window then it's about what you'd pay to achieve it, it's not about "mid-20's" and "potential". Don't like it? Don't knock, makes no difference to us.

Hawthorn's longest premiership drought is 17 years. They're in their 2nd longest drought now. Either you risk overtaking the record or you pay what not breaking that record is worth, which should be a realistic offer considering that cog is contracted. Otherwise don't let the door hit you on the way out.

 

[RCAB]

Not sure where you're "right", or where the Essendon supporters are melting. The "melts" that many Essendon supporters had were early on with the "eff Zach Merrett for talking to Hawthorn while captain" and wanting to just draft him. They are not necessarily coming around to the club's stance of not drafting him but accept that that seems to be the case.

It is the Hawthorn supporters who are melting, wanting to turn this into their commentary about the Essendon football club. Their "advice" on whether or not Essendon are making the right call at this point is laughable, when it is clearly not coming from a genuine place. You're melting because you can't just shake him free.

You were adamant that a trade would happen, but are only now coming to a realisation that the board is not just posturing. They are not going to entertain talks for trading Merrett this season, unless a club offers something that would change their mind. Extra picks won't do it when we have already turned over the list massively and invested heavily in young players over the last few years, and will be adding another 4-5 18-year-olds this year. We already have all of our picks for next year, so there is another 3 or so players who are currently 17 years old.

I actually agree with the board on this one. We have Bewick, who is currently tracking to be top 5 in the 2027 draft, and a few academy players already ranked higher. Merrett could lose a bit of value next year, but not if he comes out and finishes the year injury-free and potentially wins another best and fairest. There are 3 very good Free Agent targets for Essendon to cover its salary cap hole and complement its young players. His trade will either improve our hand in the last draft before the Tassie team, or give us more draft points to get Bewick and academy kids in 2027.

The only thing that would change my mind is a young mid with excellent disposal and improving our draft hand in the next two drafts. For example, MacKenzie and F1st 2026 and F1st 2027.

You were not "right". You were not saying this from the start.

Nope


-Never promised a trade “will” happen,

-Always said Essendon’s board culture was the obstacle, and

-Correctly predicted the current stand-off narrative being reported now.


So your claim that you’re “I'm only now realising the board isn’t posturing” collapses when I recognised that before the media did.

 

[Philhawk]

It’s a sorry state of affairs when Essendon fans keep having to sell the resume of their captain.

He’s leaving you. It’s time to move on. Sounding more like a jilted lover with each passing day.

 

[Yoda_]

It’s a sorry state of affairs when Essendon fans keep having to sell the resume of their captain.

He’s leaving you. It’s time to move on. Sounding more like a jilted lover with each passing day.

Essendon fans are dealing in facts, not hypotheticals and opinions being paraded as facts

 

[ydc55]

I think Essendon would be best moving on from Merrett.
In this years draft hawthorns first round pick isn’t enough.
I think Hawthorn with Merrett and Day would be a top 2 side.
This would mean their first round pick would be late.
I think the two picks together is enough.
I see a scenario where hawthorn focus on Bailey Humphrey and bypass Zac Merrett.
I cannot envisage Merrett staying at Essendon and I do not think the bombers can get a better deal for Zac.

 

[Lore]

Nope


-Never promised a trade “will” happen,

-Always said Essendon’s board culture was the obstacle, and

-Correctly predicted the current stand-off narrative being reported now.


So your claim that you’re “I'm only now realising the board isn’t posturing” collapses when I recognised that before the media did.

All of those things have been obvious to nearly everyone for over a month.

It's like a dick-measuring contest in here except that whoever has the smallest willy wins.

 

[Lore]

It’s a sorry state of affairs when Essendon fans keep having to sell the resume of their captain.

He’s leaving you. It’s time to move on. Sounding more like a jilted lover with each passing day.

Only in response to the posters who continue to underrate him. A few pages ago someone claimed no less than 19 Hawthorn players were better than Merrett

 

[QuietB]

So is Essendon. losing Merret makes us weaker not stronger

Draft picks aren't that useful for Essendon aswell this year's draft is a crap shoot.

Short term losing Merrett makes Essendon weaker 100%. But should Essendon be thinking short term right now?

 

[bluespooner]

So is Essendon. losing Merret makes us weaker not stronger

Draft picks aren't that useful for Essendon aswell this year's draft is a crap shoot.

Clearly, it makes essendon weaker. The whole point from an essendon perspective is that draft pick(s)/players in the right age bracket fast tracks essendon's rebuild. A re-build that Merrett is likely not be a part of due to his age.

As for this year's draft from what I've read from draft experts is that there is still quality to be had from picks in the first round; not so much differentiating players after the first round.

 

[indianhawks]

I have given up for Zac. I don't see this happening. Hawks needs to move on from zac and find someone else

 

[Yoda_]

Short term losing Merrett makes Essendon weaker 100%. But should Essendon be thinking short term right now?

Clearly, it makes essendon weaker. The whole point from an essendon perspective is that draft pick(s)/players in the right age bracket fast tracks essendon's rebuild. A re-build that Merrett is likely not be a part of due to his age.

As for this year's draft from what I've read from draft experts that there is still quality to be had from picks in the first round, not so much differentiating players after the first round.

ive accepted losing Zac is a net positive, losing him for token rubbish is not the way this will play out.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Only in response to the posters who continue to underrate him. A few pages ago someone claimed no less than 19 Hawthorn players were better than Merrett

Imagine your 20th-best player being on over $1m per year. Apparently they’ll be ZM at Hawthorn.

 

[Call Me Cake]

It’s a sorry state of affairs when Essendon fans keep having to sell the resume of their captain.

Lmao what is there to sell when it's YOUR supporters that can't stop talking about him? And there's a reason for that.

You're not winning a flag with the midfield you currently have. You know it, everyone knows it. With Merrett you at least have a chance. What's that worth to you? Then you have the answer to your question. He's contracted, we know you want him, so pay up or hush.

 

[Hawkk]

Lmao what is there to sell when it's YOUR supporters that can't stop talking about him? And there's a reason for that.

You're not winning a flag with the midfield you currently have. You know it, everyone knows it. With Merrett you at least have a chance. What's that worth to you? Then you have the answer to your question. He's contracted, we know you want him, so pay up or hush.

We just made a SF with the 2nd youngest list in the comp, topped up and made a PF with the 8th youngest list. All without our best player (Will Day - 24). A 30 year old is not make or break no matter how many BnF’s he wins at a second tier club.

I would prefer Hawthorn gun for a Humphrey (for the same collateral) and push out the window with Newcombe, Day, Mackenzie, Ward, Weddle, Watson and MacDonald all under 25.

The RFA window is much better next year anyway. Essendon fans can keep their captain who will probably win 10 BnF’s and miss out on finals. Merrett is not worth more than 9, F1 and HH, trading more is down right irresponsible and guts our chance of landing more targets and RFA’s.

 

[Call Me Cake]

Clearly, it makes essendon weaker. The whole point from an essendon perspective is that draft pick(s)/players in the right age bracket fast tracks essendon's rebuild. A re-build that Merrett is likely not be a part of due to his age.

As for this year's draft from what I've read from draft experts is that there is still quality to be had from picks in the first round; not so much differentiating players after the first round.

Hawks supporters being obsessed with having Zach and what he could do for the "window" has nothing to do with us. Even Mitchell acknowedged in the presser post the embarrassing prelim that the midfield was no where near it upon the mention of Merrett. If a club wants a plug-in elite needle moving mid and skip spending 6+ years trying to strike it in the draft, then that's where the price is.

 

[Duckworth]

Short term losing Merrett makes Essendon weaker 100%. But should Essendon be thinking short term right now?

This. I've enjoyed your posting on here. I'm not sure if the trade will happen, but it should.

 

[Hawkk]

Hawks supporters being obsessed with having Zach and what he could do for the "window" has nothing to do with us. Even Mitchell acknowedged in the presser post the embarrassing prelim that the midfield was no where near it upon the mention of Merrett. If a club wants a plug-in elite needle mover midfielder and skip spending 6+ years trying to strike it in the draft, then that's where the price is.

Is a 5 goal Prelim final loss embarrassing now? Interesting. Jesus I would hate to see what you would make of Essendon’s post 1965 record in the VFL/AFL if that’s embarrassing…

 

[Call Me Cake]

Is a 5 goal Prelim final loss embarrassing now? Interesting. Jesus I would hate to see what you would make of Essendon’s post 1965 record in the VFL/AFL if that’s embarrassing…

Anyone with a brain watching that game could see the Cats were yet to get going, the stats were in their favour. Them running over the top of you after HT was a direct sign that your midfield was missing something. Mitchell acknowledged this. Mind you it was V the midfield that looked 2nd rate against the Lions in the GF. Again, you're not winning the flag with the midfield as it currently is. The game moves quick, other sides improve. Carlton post their prelim in 2023 is evidence of that. The obsession with Merrett is a direct result of an acknowledgement of that. Truth hurts I know.

 

[Duckworth]

Is a 5 goal Prelim final loss embarrassing now? Interesting. Jesus I would hate to see what you would make of Essendon’s post 1965 record in the VFL/AFL if that’s embarrassing…

I would word it, that Hawthorn did well this year (especially) in the finals. Fans would probably like a few more wins in the season proper next year to push for the top 4. Teams like Brisbane and Geelong are still a tier above.

 

[FootyGuru]

Is a 5 goal Prelim final loss embarrassing now? Interesting. Jesus I would hate to see what you would make of Essendon’s post 1965 record in the VFL/AFL if that’s embarrassing…

Port Adelaide made a pre lim in the previous season, Sydney made a grand final. Neither made the finals in this season. Hawks already lost a midfielder to the team who put 50+ points on them in a row in a pre lim, and the cats are trying to improve more with a 2 time Colman medalist. Not to mention Brisbanes improvement.

Everyone at hawthorn knows that if they don’t land Merrett they will have wasted this trade period and most likely next season. If your not getting better your falling behind.

 

[Hawkk]

Anyone with a brain watching that game could see the Cats were yet to get going, the stats were in their favour. Them running over the top of you after HT was a direct sign that your midfield was missing something. Mitchell acknowledged this. Mind you it was V the midfield that looked 2nd rate against the Lions in the GF. Again, you're not winning the flag with the midfield as it currently is. The game moves quick. Carlton post their prelim in 2023 is evidence of that. The obsession with Merrett is a direct result of an acknowledgement of that. Truth hurts I know.

I agree with this — and I’m on record saying we need two A graders and Will Day to compete with Brisbane. But overpaying for Merrett won’t get us there.

I would word it, that Hawthorn did well this year (especially) in the finals. Fans would probably like a few more wins in the season proper next year to push for the top 4. Teams like Brisbane and Geelong are still a tier above.

Agreed. But given our midfield mix I don’t think a 30 year old is the answer. Unless you can pick up Merrett for a F1, 9 and HH it’s just going to gut our list. TBH we probably need to move on players to get assets to pick up a second A grader anyway.

For a fair price Merrett is worth it, but it’s not worth selling the farm for him — which is what Essendon want.

 

[RCAB]

All of those things have been obvious to nearly everyone for over a month.

It's like a dick-measuring contest in here except that whoever has the smallest willy wins.

If it was that obvious I must’ve missed the memo... pretty sure half people in this thread here spent two weeks calling my posts “rubbish" every time I mentioned board interference or laugh reacting to it.

Funny how “obvious” things only become obvious after the media headlines drop.

 

[Hawkk]

Port Adelaide made a pre lim in the previous season, Sydney made a grand final. Neither made the finals in this season. Hawks already lost a midfielder to the team who put 50+ points on them in a row in a pre lim, and the cats are trying to improve more with a 2 time Colman medalist. Not to mention Brisbanes improvement.

Everyone at hawthorn knows that if they don’t land Merrett they will have wasted this trade period and most likely next season. If your not getting better your falling behind.

Unless they land a different target - they have two other players on the radar. Port Adelaide lost Dan Houston,
Ken Hinkley was out the door and Boak obviously declined. The Swans suffered from a post GF hangover (ala 2022 into 2023). Hawthorn is younger than both…

Hawthorn still have a very young midfield and will (hopefully) get their best player (Will Day) back next year. A 30 year old doesn’t help them grow with the 22-25 year old quartet. That’s why I’d much rather they shoot for a Humphrey who will grow with the group. You can easily replace the defenders (who are the easiest to bring in via FA) over the next 2-4 years.