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

[Lore]

There we go, that's the clip:

 

[Dewyyyyy]

You are genuinely delusional if you see the Hawks having more natural improvement than GC.

I’m not saying Hawthorn do or don’t, but you are.

Development and improvement is not linear nor is it easily predictable at one club let alone multiple.

 

[Hawks_Footy]

Straighten up children.. Hawks offered up overs but Dons said no.. that's fine we both move on

All you muppets with no skin in the game can sling mud but I couldn't give 2 $hit$..

 

[Yoda_]

Essendon need top end talent, which is exactly what 10, 22 and a F1 get you.

Especially if you trade up to get further into the top 10. Then trading for picks in 27 for your bids.

Instead keeping Merrett who doesn’t move the needle at all now or in the future.

what?1

top end talent is found at the pointy end of the draft, not in the teens

 

[GinniAndTonic]

Knock Knock..who's there

Not Sam Mitchell...

Knock knock who’s there?

No finals wins for another 10 years at least.

 

[Deepthroat]

Seriously what's the go with gaslighting Essendon's management?

Just because Merrett asked to leave doesn't compel them to agree.

As Ross Lyon has parroted for two weeks, good clubs with good programs don't let contracted players leave.

Ross a little different.

You don't gift a ruck to a finals contender who have no ruck.

Essendon aren't "chips in" like the Saints. They should have sold an asset at best value.

 

[hawkman]

I can understand the Hawks not wanting to give up anything additional to their last offer, but by not landing Merrett they've had a poor trade period. Lost Worpel, Jiath and Serong and received nothing in return.

I didn't like the trade with Carlton today especially as those picks we traded will wind in from academy bids

 

[The Chad and I]

Thank you to the Essendon football club for saving my HawthornFC from making a generational mistake by overpaying for a 30 year old midfielder, albeit a high quality player.

I don't know how, or why, you have managed to turn down such a tremendously over the top offer for an ageing midfielder, but from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

You have truly saved us from our own over-confidence.

THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Dewyyyyy

Hawks development so good 6/11 of their top 11 came from other clubs?

7 including Gunston

Hawthorn have significant development in a lot of areas, most notably their midfield.

The fact Hawthorn had a top 3 defense, and a strong forward line. Whilst now adding in development with Ward (already strong in 25), Mackenzie, Butler and Day as an addition to the midfield group.

Hawthorn will be there abouts again in 2026.

 

[Shueygod]

Hawthorn have significant development in a lot of areas, most notably their midfield.

The fact Hawthorn had a top 3 defense, and a strong forward line. Whilst now adding in development with Ward (already strong in 25), Mackenzie, Butler and Day as an addition to the midfield group.

Hawthorn will be there abouts again in 2026.

I look forward to our chat in 11 months, they won’t make it passed week 1 finals.

 

[Yoda_]

Essendon didn't seem to approach any players from any clubs across the entire trade period except Fiorini.

Their version of winning trade week is to keep a contracted player to their contract.

I guess that's the Essendon Swagger that Welsh was promising?

unpopular opinion but I for one am embracing the lack of player incomings. We have tried to cut corners before (in the Dildoro era) with almost rans, wanna be stars and cheap role players. Instead it seems Rosa and Co are invested in rebuilding properly.

Obviously the Merrett deal wasn't to our liking, and that is our prerogative as the seller. We simply bring him back and go again. Zac is a profesional.

 

[BuddysBiggestFan]

Thank god we didn’t give up 100 first round draft picks for another 30 year old like we did with Barrass….

 

[HeHateMe]

I can understand the Hawks not wanting to give up anything additional to their last offer, but by not landing Merrett they've had a poor trade period. Lost Worpel, Jiath and Serong and received nothing in return.

Agree with this, I think there is a F3rd in there somewhere but thats all we have to show for it and also the shuffle up to the end of first pick.

It's value won't be realised until the draft though, if a player slides it could be traded to a club looking to nab them for additional future assets.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

I look forward to our chat in 11 months, they won’t make it passed week 1 finals.

Okay that’s awesome to have such a strong opinion

Proud of you

 

[Deepthroat]

unpopular opinion but I for one am embracing the lack of player incomings. We have tried to cut corners before (in the Dildoro era) with almost rans, wanna be stars and cheap role players. Instead it seems Rosa and Co are invested in rebuilding properly.

Obviously the Merrett deal wasn't to our liking, and that is our prerogative as the seller. We simply bring him back and go again. Zac is a profesional.

Fiorini another mercenary.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

 

[cobra land]

I was waiting to see who would crack first, horks supporters or Petroro’s shirt buttons…

 

[SSSSSS]

pick 10
2026 first
2026 2nd
2027 first

for Merrett and scraps would have got it done, Sydney paid up for an inferior Charlie Curnow

Curnow has age and position going for him.

At his best he's better than Merrett. He's a top 5 player in the comp when he's firing.

Big risk for Sydney.

 

[LegendLewis]

you sound very upset

No not at all actually.
Its a pity Zac didn't get his wish and I feel for him because he has given you 12 pretty outstanding years and will more than likely retire without a premiership, and as a professional thats what he really wants.
I think this was the year that 'some' teams put their put down and just said no, Hawthorn didn't read the room and realise this was the year so we traded three good to very good players for picks in the forties because we were still playing the 'whats best for the player' game.
Personally I prefer that game because it encourages the human and promotes excellence. Sadly this year business and contracts and money won and as a result the backlash will be two year contracts so players can get out and the business will win. Maybe thats a good thing? I dont know, but I dont think so?
Re the Hawks I'm good, I have faith in the younger generation of hawks and i really do trust our development team to bring the best out of each and every player so we'll be ok.
Hope you guys get your shit together, maybe as some have suggested this maybe in some sense a 'wake up call' and will be 'galvanising', I suppose we'll just have to wait and see.

If that was all too much and you just wanted a quick snipey retort
'Yeah i'm ****en pissed that you arrogant bastards wont release a guy from your hellhole 'alcatraz' given we offered the best ever deal for a thirty year old, hope Dodo comes back and you appoint Hird as Coach next week!!'

 

[Yoda_]

Hawthorn have significant development in a lot of areas, most notably their midfield.

The fact Hawthorn had a top 3 defense, and a strong forward line. Whilst now adding in development with Ward (already strong in 25), Mackenzie, Butler and Day as an addition to the midfield group.

Hawthorn will be there abouts again in 2026.

Jack Gunston at 33 held the Hawks forward line together. The big positive for Hawthorn was the injury management in 2025. Do they get a blessed run again in 2026? would be funny if they didn't and miss the 8.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Answer; why should Essendon take 7 players out of a draft that isn’t rated by the industry?

Have you ever thought of trading draft picks. Just a quick thought

 

[VDS66]

The dick swinging clubs had an absolute mare today.

The designated feeder clubs stood their ground.

I'm actually proud of what the Bombers did. (Vomit in mouth as I type.)

Sometimes you just gotta stand for something and damn the consequences.

 

[Yoda_]

Curnow has age and position going for him.

At his best he's better than Merrett. He's a top 5 player in the comp when he's firing.

Big risk for Sydney.

You are buying on potential at Curnow's age

you are spending on output with Zac

 

[MinerBoy]

pick 10
2026 first
2026 2nd
2027 first

for Merrett and scraps would have got it done, Sydney paid up for an inferior Charlie Curnow

Inferior younger key position multiple Coleman medallist

 

[threenewpadlocks]

I don't think Essendon made this big principled stand as much as the fact that they correctly assessed the values of what the picks were worth more accurately than the default assumption people make with the loaded understanding behind what's a "first round pick".

And I'm not sure we can hold that much weight that Essendon should have taken the picks to rebuild as if that's being spun as a positive for the club. Ok, maybe it's not a negative, but you're still asking Essendon to sacrifice some wins over the next year or two, even if it doesn't maximise their chance at a flag beyond that. If Essendon win 9 games instead of 7 or whatever next year now that they have Merrett, those 2 wins are still worth something to the fans and the club to enjoy. Not everything has to be about this uber-meta analysis of maximising your chance of the 2036 premiership or whatever. Sometimes it's good to plan to win games (not just flags, but games) next yera.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Jack Gunston at 33 held the Hawks forward line together. The big positive for Hawthorn was the injury management in 2025. Do they get a blessed run again in 2026? would be funny if they didn't and miss the 8.

“The big positive”

Day barely played, Weddle missed significant time, Lewis, Dear, Mackenzie, Butler, Morrison, Maginness.

All either missed time with injury, or didn’t consistently play.

“Would be funny if they didn’t and miss the 8” absolutely zero significance behind this.