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

[Atavistic]

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

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

I would rather watch him play for your club in 2027 than for the Hawks next year.

 

[Maddogm]

Merrett simply isn’t worth 4 first rounders. How deluded are we to even suggest that.

Given the one of "first rounders" being offered wasn't worth a first rounder, we asked for another one

 

[Gabe251]

The fourth first round would be your 2027 f1 added. you considered the 22 pick in the first round, which it technically is.

 

[Petrify]

Damo reporting we wanted a player, even upto the last few minutes but Hawthorn didn't want to give us one.

 

[katana]

On paper, of course.

But in reality, depends how you use them.

This draft is rated by all and sundry to be weak at the top end.

With five picks at the top end we’re already hugely exposed to it.

If it was packed with talent and there were 10 top prospects we love and want, those picks are worth more to us.

the deal offered was overs. the draft is irrelevant. you can spread your risk and that's the job of a pragmatic and responsible club/list manager (as was done re: kako last year).

 

[Vander18]

Don’t understand how this can work.

Merrett has lost faith in club, players have lost trust in Merrett. We had to move on, I don’t think the relationships can be mended.

Zach stitched us up by going with one club but we needed to manage that and get something done.

 

[MiguelM]

It always had to be picks and a decent player. Hawks knew that early in the piece.

 

[ghostdog]

It's not capitulation. Why keep the captain who doesn't want to be here and will leave next year for a worse deal?

Because dignity is worth more than a W in a trade.

 

[katana]

Don’t understand how this can work.

Merrett has lost faith in club, players have lost trust in Merrett. We had to move on, I don’t think the relationships can be mended.

Zach stitched us up by going with one club but we needed to manage that and get something done.

zach went to the only competing club with a top 10 pick. he did all he could (as ever).

 

[ghostdog]

Don’t understand how this can work.

Merrett has lost faith in club, players have lost trust in Merrett. We had to move on, I don’t think the relationships can be mended.

Zach stitched us up by going with one club but we needed to manage that and get something done.

It's on Zach now I reckon. Be professional or play in the twos.

 

[Maddogm]

Don’t understand how this can work.

Merrett has lost faith in club, players have lost trust in Merrett. We had to move on, I don’t think the relationships can be mended.

Zach stitched us up by going with one club but we needed to manage that and get something done.

They needed to make a valid offer, they never did.

In their arrogance they assumed we were desperate to rid of him and would take any crap they offered.

That arrogance is why a deal never got done.

 

[gillon]

Don’t understand how this can work.

Merrett has lost faith in club, players have lost trust in Merrett. We had to move on, I don’t think the relationships can be mended.

Zach stitched us up by going with one club but we needed to manage that and get something done.

We will move on by replacing him as captain.

 

[Old Campaigner]

Damo reporting we wanted a player, even upto the last few minutes but Hawthorn didn't want to give us one.

Hawthorne only have themselves to blame, they approached a contracted player knowing they'd have to cough up something pretty good and I guess they just thought we'd blink or something.

I think what was offered was ok and it wouldn't surprise me if we regret taking it, but I also don't blame Rosa etc for digging their heels in over it. The horks certainly had the ability to get a better deal done if they wanted to

 

[Cold Sober]

Now I can get back to the punt.
Clarry for the brownlow.
Scott first coach to be sacked.
Hawthorn supporters to drop off quicker than Richmond supporters as they fall.
Life is so ****ing good.

 

[ghostdog]

zach went to the only competing club with a top 10 pick. he did all he could (as ever).

He could have nominated GC.

 

[MightyDon]

Merrett simply isn’t worth 4 first rounders. How deluded are we to even suggest that.

It’s far from a legit 4 first rounders given the two offered this year, next year based on their projected finish and 2027 with tassie coming in. It’s more like a first (in an average draft) a 2nd, a 2nd next year and aa 3rd in 27

 

[gillon]

It was absolutely hilarious seeing the media act like Hawthorns deal was the best of all time for a player Merrett’s age, only to see Trac go for a significantly better deal almost immediately.

 

[FootyGuru]

He’s just a player now. Play him where the clubs needs him, not where is best for Merrett. He will still perform because his performance has always been the most important thing to him.
There was talk that Essendon players prefer McGrath as a leader to Merrett anyways. Let’s keep him his final two years unless we get a haul next year.

 

[Phone]

Because dignity is worth more than a W in a trade.

oh hell yeah

 

[BringFevBack2021]

Well done today, historic stand taken - he will be welcomed back and the Hawks will regret this

 

[BomberManU]

Don’t understand how this can work.

Merrett has lost faith in club, players have lost trust in Merrett. We had to move on, I don’t think the relationships can be mended.

Zach stitched us up by going with one club but we needed to manage that and get something done.

Agree. Those that think he'll turn up on day one with the right attitude might be in for a shock. But hey, we 'won' and that's what's important, apparently.
What do we do about the captaincy? Take it off an already disgruntled player?

 

[Here_we_come]

This was clearly a politically motivated decision and one that will come back to haunt us. But who can expect more from our club these days.

 

[ghostdog]

Merrett simply isn’t worth 4 first rounders. How deluded are we to even suggest that.

How deluded were they to make the 'final' offer they did.
In all likelihood, the final counter when it was clear they weren't serious, was a sarcastic 'stick it up your arses. No deal.'

 

[Blind Turn]

Don’t understand how this can work.

Merrett has lost faith in club, players have lost trust in Merrett. We had to move on, I don’t think the relationships can be mended.

Zach stitched us up by going with one club but we needed to manage that and get something done.

Mate, Hawthorne needed to get something done. The onus was on them. We didn’t ask for a trade. Sure, we have some work to do to get a cohesive playing group but I’m not sure that Zach socialises with anyone but Sam Mitchell anyway. The players might be relieved they don’t have to tolerate his awful attempts at off-field leadership anymore. It might bring a sense of levity, you never know

 

[Cold Sober]

Welcome back Zac.