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

[Sporno 4 Pyros]

What percentage do agents get?

With Zach set to get an extra $400k x 5 years from the Hawks Petroro had a vested interest in advising his client to leave

I’ve read anywhere between 2-5% and 20% for deals outside footy (I assume that’s when he does those Essendon captains nights Potroro charges a 20% out of his total fee).

Let’s assume Potroro can charge 3% because he’s from one of the big player manager groups.
3% of $400k is an extra $12k per year for the next 2 years.
Years 3-5: 3% of 1.3m = $39k per year

 

[HirdsTheWord]

What percentage do agents get?

With Zach set to get an extra $400k x 5 years from the Hawks Petroro had a vested interest in advising his client to leave

I think it’s 5-10% isn’t it?

 

[Phone]

and coincidentally, 5-10% is about the level of 'blame' Zach's manager should get for this, with the other 90-95% of the blame going to Zach

 

[DERO]

and coincidentally, 5-10% is about the level of 'blame' Zach's manager should get for this, with the other 90-95% of the blame going to Zach

I prefer to blame Sam Mitchell

 

[bomberlegend2007]

Zach should be accepted by the group in one of those throwing ball at the target things with him sitting on chair over the pool. But the pool is not a pool! It’s a septic tank full of pooooooos and weeeeeees!!! Whoever hits the target gets to feel justice! After he falls in we fish him out with a wind sock. Then we shake hands predator style and get along with our lives like nothing ever happened.

I wish I never read this.

 

[DERO]

I wish I never read this.

I only read it because you quoted it. Thanks mate!!

 

[Milanista28]

I think Zach and a bunch of guys should go have a kick at the hanger next week, message Cal Twomey and tell him about it, he takes a couple of pictures and the narrative is instantly changed.

 

[Lore]

I think Zach and a bunch of guys should go have a kick at the hanger next week, message Cal Twomey and tell him about it, he takes a couple of pictures and the narrative is instantly changed.

As long as they’re all laughing and having a good time. One frown, one backwards glance captured on camera and the narrative can spin out again

 

[jmoo wan]

I think Zach and a bunch of guys should go have a kick at the hanger next week, message Cal Twomey and tell him about it, he takes a couple of pictures and the narrative is instantly changed.

best to first check when the women are training, that could backfire

 

[jannissary]

best to first check when the women are training, that could backfire

or it could be a learning opportunity for zach

 

[Bunk Moreland]

I hate being one of those guys and it doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but it’s pretty strange that in all the boys’ and partners photos of 2MP’s wedding last week, Zach isn’t in any of them and doesn’t appear to be there.

Because there’s a big group of 20+ of them, present and recent past bombers, including all the older players.

Reality is it’s a conspicuous absence. Either he’s not close with the rest of them at all, or he felt he didn’t want to be there.

 

[Duckworth]

I hate being one of those guys and it doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but it’s pretty strange that in all the boys’ and partners photos of 2MP’s wedding last week, Zach isn’t in any of them and doesn’t appear to be there.

Because there’s a big group of 20+ of them, present and recent past bombers, including all the older players.

Reality is it’s a conspicuous absence. Either he’s not close with the rest of them at all, or he felt he didn’t want to be there.

Maybe Zach was the photographer lol.

 

[cobra land]

I hate being one of those guys and it doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but it’s pretty strange that in all the boys’ and partners photos of 2MP’s wedding last week, Zach isn’t in any of them and doesn’t appear to be there.

Because there’s a big group of 20+ of them, present and recent past bombers, including all the older players.

Reality is it’s a conspicuous absence. Either he’s not close with the rest of them at all, or he felt he didn’t want to be there.

I did think exactly like you but then again it may be simply that he was not invited?, not sure I've seen him in photo's of other bomber weddings too?

Great player but maybe not necessarily a popular one.

 

[Proper Gander]

This is why we have an issue with Merrett. Both are captains who requested a trade, but look at how Simpkin went about it and compare it to Merrett. Had Merrett approached everything the way Simpkin did, I wouldn't have had a problem with him staying beyond next year. As it stands, Merrett has a lot of work to do to win over not only his teammates, but the fans too.

I’ve never liked him prior but that’s a really nice message.

 

[Phone]

I hate being one of those guys and it doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but it’s pretty strange that in all the boys’ and partners photos of 2MP’s wedding last week, Zach isn’t in any of them and doesn’t appear to be there.

Because there’s a big group of 20+ of them, present and recent past bombers, including all the older players.

Reality is it’s a conspicuous absence. Either he’s not close with the rest of them at all, or he felt he didn’t want to be there.

have you considered this might actually be his manager's fault and zach is faultless

 

[astrowizzle]

Maybe Zach was the photographer lol.

Probably at a Hawks wedding

 

[Bunk Moreland]

I did think exactly like you but then again it may be simply that he was not invited?, not sure I've seen him in photo's of other bomber weddings too?

Great player but maybe not necessarily a popular one.

Yeah not invited would be weird

You don’t have 40 players who are best mates

But as a leader you generally have relationships with many players.

You’ve got a social event where Draper, Laverde, Redman, Shiel, Heppell, Parish, Ridley, Langford, McGrath are all there… it’s a conspicuous absence.

 

[boncer34]

Yeah not invited would be weird

You don’t have 40 players who are best mates

But as a leader you generally have relationships with many players.

You’ve got a social event where Draper, Laverde, Redman, Shiel, Heppell, Parish, Ridley, Langford, McGrath are all there… it’s a conspicuous absence.

Why?

From that list 30 other players weren't there.

 

[jmoo wan]

he probs wasn’t invited because he’s a downer and doesn’t seem like he'd be much fun at social gatherings

 

[windyhill]

I think Zach and a bunch of guys should go have a kick at the hanger next week, message Cal Twomey and tell him about it, he takes a couple of pictures and the narrative is instantly changed.

Just don't kick the ball towards the girls.

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

Assume at AFL clubs like suburban clubs have cliques where some get along with everyone but others have a small group of friends. Once they’re gone then player may feel a bit out of it.

Zach was close with Joey, Stringer. Laverde and Hind now all gone. Plus the impact of a guy like Draper leaving who seems to be the conduit with maybe various cliques etc. Obviously money, success are important but can’t underestimate the friendships

 

[jannissary]

zach probably wanted to turn up in his dryp gear but got firmly told no

 

[dank420_]

Dryp do suits tho

 

[Squeaky]

Didn't Zach have a death in the family and obviously a funeral. Think it was back in Cobden.
May explain his absence...

 

[Lethal]

Didn't Zach have a death in the family and obviously a funeral. Think it was back in Cobden.
May explain his absence...

Yeah, he said RIP to his nan in his Instagram story today.