AFL Player 7: Indefatigable Zach Merrett - Stepping down as captain for 2026

[Doss]

I’M STILL AWAITING ALL THOSE CARDS!

Part 2 in a seven stage act they said. Bombs on the daily.

 

[thepokey]

You seem to be taking this really well.

Its just bizarre so many people are ok with being ****ed over

 

[thepokey]

That needs to be weighed up against the risk he sticks to his guns, insists on Hawthorne again and refuses to agree to a trade anywhere else.

What's currently being offered is close, maybe even better than what Geelong paid up for Cameron, it ain't any old shit.

Even with the picks blowing out to being way later than what they first appear to be? In a weak draft? With a VFL player no one has ever heard of?

 

[Lore]

Its just bizarre so many people are ok with being ****ed over

eh? Merrett already ****ed us over. This is damage control

 

[Old Campaigner]

Its just bizarre so many people are ok with being ****ed over

Most people don't see it as being ****ed over.

It's not a great situation but we seem to be doing a pretty good job of extracting the maximum value

 

[bommer16]

Maybe I’m old school but a contract is binding. Should hold him to it. Efc have not made this awkward at all to let him go. He's a required player.

 

[ghostdog]

What else can he say? If he comes out and tells the truth (we're open to trading Merrett) it weakens our position. He can't say one thing to members exclusively and another thing to Hawthorne.

I'd rather he do what is in the club's best interests rather than throw pragmatism out the window and put the club in a materially worse position.

...unless he said it to the members via an encrypted messaging app. I can't believe they're not using one with us now that Solly's email has galvanised us.
I'm heaps galvanised!

 

[thepokey]

Most people don't see it as being ****ed over.

It's not a great situation but we seem to be doing a pretty good job of extracting the maximum value

This is what being happy with complacency has gotten us

 

[thepokey]

eh? Merrett already ****ed us over. This is damage control

Its like Merrett broke one of our legs and we're gonna fix it by breaking our other leg

 

[Old Campaigner]

Even with the picks blowing out to being way later than what they first appear to be? In a weak draft? With a VFL player no one has ever heard of?

Yes

 

[Lore]

Its like Merrett broke one of our legs and we're gonna fix it by breaking our other leg

It's more like putting a cast on it now or walking around on it for 12 months before putting a cast on it

 

[Old Campaigner]

This is what being happy with complacency has gotten us

What does a good deal look like for you?

 

[thepokey]

Ok, you guys are happy with mediocrity. So be it, lets go!

 

[Old Campaigner]

Ok, you guys are happy with mediocrity. So be it, lets go!

What's the realistic alternative to what's currently unfolding?

 

[Mercurial89]

Its just bizarre so many people are ok with being ****ed over

I think some are just being pragmatic.

We are not a good side. We are rebuilding.
Zach is our best player but is older.

We can get a decent haul of picks to keep turning over the list and setting a nice foundation.

People are emotional because of the side it is, because the way Zach has handled it all and it's a rejection of sorts. People want us to hold him, so he may be unhappy, slightly projecting their own frustration and hurt onto him and wanting revenge.

I don't really see it that way, take the picks, keep selecting and developing talent and be a good side. Hell if you want revenge for how this has all gone down, be a good side. Be such a good side you beat the hawks and their gun recruit and stop them from having any success.

 

[andleanback]

Love how petroro is trying to portray merrett as a 30yo veteran instead of genuine star of the comp who would be odds on the win a norm if hawks make the granny

 

[andleanback]

I think some are just being pragmatic.

We are not a good side. We are rebuilding.
Zach is our best player but is older.

We can get a decent haul of picks to keep turning over the list and setting a nice foundation.

People are emotional because of the side it is, because the way Zach has handled it all and it's a rejection of sorts. People want us to hold him, so he may be unhappy, slightly projecting their own frustration and hurt onto him and wanting revenge.

I don't really see it that way, take the picks, keep selecting and developing talent and be a good side. Hell if you want revenge for how this has all gone down, be a good side. Be such a good side you beat the hawks and their gun recruit and stop them from having any success.

Decent haul? It’s dogshit. What Melbourne will get for petracca is a decent haul

 

[dank420_]

Has time told yet?

 

[thepokey]

What's the realistic alternative to what's currently unfolding?

Hold him to his contract and either change his mind over the course of next year or get a better deal next year - I believe that would be possible given more time for things to play out.

But doesn't even matter anymore. Lets just get him out the door for late first round picks in a nothing draft, who cares. But will easily be the most disappointed I've been with the club sings the saga.

 

[Mercurial89]

Decent haul? It’s dogshit. What Melbourne will get for petracca is a decent haul

It's a realistic haul.

 

[Don Won]

I was all for Zach staying, but now I think I would prefer the excitement or hope of some random kid(s) in the draft than having to think about his dark cloud hanging over our club. If we extract 3 F1 picks, he can **** off and wait for R1 next year.

 

[Lore]

Has time told yet?

turns out it's just a social construct

 

[Corleone]

Can anyone explain how obtaining average picks in a weak draft is preferable to keeping our best player?

 

[Old Campaigner]

Decent haul? It’s dogshit. What Melbourne will get for petracca is a decent haul

It could certainly be better, but I reckon it's still preferable to holding onto him for another year and getting less.

I'd guess the second offer gets rejected since there's over an hour left on the clock, and they come back with something better.

 

[Lore]

Can anyone explain how obtaining average picks in a weak draft is preferable to keeping our best player?

Trade up to pick 1 or pick 2 and get a decent pick in the draft, move the rest into next year.