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

[jannissary]

Imagine how sick Zachy is feeling right now??

crying into his stacks of cash

 

[StackedHunch]

Petroro looking shattered was fantastic. I'm honestly surprised we held firm. I guess we do it all again next year and hopefully that teaches Hawthorn to come back with something proper if they want to be taken seriously

Umm...look, honestly, I was ambivalent about the price we were offering. But on what planet do you think you're getting a good price for him next year? A fourth 1st rounder would have been forthcoming for a player in his mid-20s perhaps. 31 year old is quite another story.

 

[Milanista28]

I disagree with it, but we move.

 

[thepokey]

Time for Zach to front up. Some honest, deep conversations with the playing group to mend some fences. Both in terms of rebuilding some trust in him, but hopefully also addressing some concerns he has about the club. Relinquishes the captaincy and knuckle down and put in the best individual season he can. We revisit next year.

 

[Here_we_come]

This was really dumb. We should have taken the deal.

 

[thepokey]

Umm...look, honestly, I was ambivalent about the price we were offering. But on what planet do you think you're getting a good price for him next year?

Go away.

 

[Saddlemanbags]

Impressive, we really are the dumbest club around.

 

[NT.Thunder]

Wasnt good watching his body language late this season, just imagine next season.

Tough situation for all - was never going to be any winners.

 

[bommer16]

He feels stuck and every year he stays a goal is slipping away. We get the frustrations with the lack of success.
Contracted, required player. Try next year. I’m happy efc stuck to their word.

 

[ydc55]

I am very disappointed in the club.
The offer wasn’t terrific but was not horrific
Zac doesn’t want to be at the club and cannot be the captain.
Our rebuild could have been boosted but not to be.
I can’t see everyone cheering for Zac next year.
Am I wrong?

 

[BratPack]

Good.

Impressive, we really are the dumbest club around.

No, if we'd taken the deal we'd have been the dumbest club around.

 

[DERO]

Time for Zach to front up. Some honest, deep conversations with the playing group to mend some fences. Both in terms of rebuilding some trust in him, but hopefully also addressing some concerns he has about the club. Relinquishes the captaincy and knuckle down and put in the best individual season he can. We revisit next year.

He will.

 

[Old Campaigner]

This was really dumb. We should have taken the deal.

I suspect we'll regret it but time will tell ultimately

 

[Stopher]

Petroro looking shattered was fantastic. I'm honestly surprised we held firm. I guess we do it all again next year and hopefully that teaches Hawthorn to come back with something proper if they want to be taken seriously

There will be more than one club after him too. Will bump up his value

 

[Here_we_come]

Some people are far too used to losing and are more concerned with screwing over hawthorn than doing what’s best for us.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Interested to see what they say. The fact that we already have five picks in the top 30 would be a big factor I think. That would’ve given us seven, which is probably more than we can take.

 

[YEMOC NAYR]

Dare say this could've been alot less emotional if Merrett and his manager were open to the club at the start instead of trying to snake them and then blow the place up on the way back.

I think we'll regret this decision but part of me is very happy seeing merretts manager crack the shits.

player power in this game has gone too far

 

[DERO]

I am very disappointed in the club.
The offer wasn’t terrific but was not horrific
Zac doesn’t want to be at the club and cannot be the captain.
Our rebuild could have been boosted but not to be.
I can’t see everyone cheering for Zac next year.
Am I wrong?

I’m expecting years of pick 10 (and / or any good player taken after) discussion on here. I’ve embraced it and am really looking forward to it!

 

[Lethal]

 

[BratPack]

Some people are far too used to losing and are more concerned with screwing over hawthorn than doing what’s best for us.

Which is what we did by not taking the joke of a deal offered.

 

[mike14]

AFL trading and the draft has never made sense to me, but why is pick 22 consider a '1st round pick? There are 18 teams, so there can only be 18 first round picks. When Tassie come in there will be 19.
What whacky-races rules are used to not call 22 a 2nd rounder?

 

[eddie_punchclock]

A lesson for players and agents in this one

 

[wiltho]

One part of this that I like is it send a big "F*** You!" to the Hawks.

 

[MiguelM]

There will be more than one club after him too. Will bump up his value

Pies could be a big player IMO. Aging star midfield, cash to spend.

 

[MightyDon]

This was really dumb. We should have taken the deal.

What deal? Zach for pick 10 that slides to 14-15 and basically a 2nd round pick next year? We don’t have room for the player they offered or the 2nd round pick they offered this year