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

[DallasCrane316]

What’s really sad and pissweak here is a captain who two months ago said publicly he’s all in, full faith in club and the coach. Then 6 weeks later does complete opposite. Even worse has dinner at his coach’s house and assume by Scott’s subsequent reaction did not mention anything at the dinner. Yet a short time later had dinner with oppo coach and is happy for his manager to leak it. I mean there’s no way that is anything but a shit and gutless act.

Not even 6 weeks later according to the Agenda Setters - Merrett told his manager he wants out prior to the season ending.

 

[YEMOC NAYR]

Again, they know it's a non issue, but this is all calculated to try his best to get out the club. He doesn't give a shit if we hate him anymore, that's clear with the approach.

Caro says something about AFLW disrespect? you bet his manager is going to use that to try and drive a further wedge.

 

[DallasCrane316]

 

[YEMOC NAYR]

So if we are talking picks and players, where do we stand? (Realistic players)

Dont mind McKenzie but he runs like Sam Mitchell , can't have on that alone

Reckon Ramsden is about ready to pop, wouldn't mind him, he'd be in my mix

Hustwaite will probably be free soon anyway, no need to add to the mix

CJ might add a bit of spark off hb

Had a nibble at Finn last year but he's hardley kicked on since

Dont mind Butler too

D'Ambrosio looks like a decent kick, wonder if he's available

Hustwaite was on our radar regardless. I'd be angling for 8, F1 and him.

I'd take Mckenzie but I reckon he'll end up at another club cos there is a few suitors for him.

 

[doug85]

Broken clock

 

[Lore]

Not even 6 weeks later according to the Agenda Setters - Merrett told his manager he wants out prior to the season ending.

He also went to that meeting in August looking for a contract extension, spent 2 hours analysing the club's position and its list and whatever. Didn't like something about us not ensuring Draper stayed by overpaying him?

Contents of that meeting was reported on 2 September by Sam Edmund on SEN, which he presumably got from Merrett's manager. That's the Tuesday after the bye weekend.

 

[Duckworth]

Can someone explain why Essendon would be trashing Merrett's reputation? It certainly doesn't align with what Scott was saying when he was spoken to. It serves no purpose for keeping him, or for trading him.

 

[Phone]

Not even 6 weeks later according to the Agenda Setters - Merrett told his manager he wants out prior to the season ending.

wasn't it already known that the meeting happened in the last week of the season? I suppose given our odd end, "last week" could have a slightly different definition and could have taken place after the season ended on the Wednesday, but the main thing is that at this seem point it seems pretty obvious that Zach made it clear at the meeting that he wanted out (and Jake Niall's article last week supports this: "(this did not surprise the Bombers, either, they were well aware of his wanderlust beforehand)."

 

[Phone]

Can someone explain why Essendon would be trashing Merrett's reputation? It certainly doesn't align with what Scott was saying when he was spoken to. It serves no purpose for keeping him, or for trading him.

the same reason people here are saying play him in the reserves next season - people can be dummies and emotional

 

[YEMOC NAYR]

Can someone explain why Essendon would be trashing Merrett's reputation? It certainly doesn't align with what Scott was saying when he was spoken to. It serves no purpose for keeping him, or for trading him.

Don't see how it serves us at all. The fans are already pissed at him and want him gone because he's gone behind our back as captain. Don't need any additional reasons to want him gone.

Skeptic in me believes stories like this come to light because the manager is doing his job well. Just not well for us.

 

[Duckworth]

the same reason people here are saying play him in the reserves next season - people can be dummies and emotional

Well, a manager could leak something, so that Merrett can respond with 'my feelings are hurt too'.

 

[JayJ20]

Why is it that every time we finish bottom 4 in the last 18 years, shit hits the fan and the club implodes? It's like we're playing the floor is lava and 15th is the lava.

2015 - 15th - Hird left, Carlisle uttered those famous words, terrible year off-field
2016 - 18th - 34 players banned, ironically a calm year
2020 - 15th - exodus including F/S, coach sacked but disguised as a succession plan
2022 - 15th - board spill, players disrespectful to coach, coach sacked, failed chase of premiership coach, hire and fire CEO in one day
2025 - 15th - Captain wants out, evolves into a nasty dispute

Act normal for once.

 

[Keystone agony]

the same reason people here are saying play him in the reserves next season - people can be dummies and emotional

Youd hope the club has people running in that dont sit in this category though

 

[Phone]

Youd hope the club has people running in that dont sit in this category though

buddy do you remember the drug saga

 

[Keystone agony]

Why is it that every time we finish bottom 4 in the last 18 years, shit hits the fan and the club implodes? It's like we're playing the floor is lava and 15th is the lava.

2015 - 15th - Hird left, Carlisle uttered those famous words, terrible year off-field
2016 - 18th - 34 players banned, ironically a calm year
2020 - 15th - exodus including F/S, coach sacked but disguised as a succession plan
2022 - 15th - board spill, players disrespectful to coach, coach sacked, failed chase of premiership coach, hire and fire CEO in one day
2025 - 15th - Captain wants out, evolves into a nasty dispute

Act normal for once.

Maybe why the club has always tried to prop up into middle land

Its a dangerous cycle

 

[matty lloyd the champ]

All of a sudden we take Caroline ****ing Wilson's word as gospel?

If Essendon are leaking things to Caroline Wilson of all people, the club, everyone can get in the bin.

 

[JayJ20]

Are we the only unsuccessful club in history to have hit pieces after hit pieces written about us to actively work against our bargaining power? Whatever happened to tall poppy syndrome?

You'd think North wanted Merrett with the way they are acting. Give me a break.

 

[Keystone agony]

buddy do you remember the drug saga

Dumbies and emotion is different to competetive people

Doctor, james hird certainly not in this category

 

[ant555]

Jay Clark is a Geelong fan apparently. Hawks fans don’t like his stuff either.

Ralph just seems to be enamoured of Sam Mitchell.


We get Cornes, Buckley, Simpson, and about half of everyone else

When talking about destination clubs early this year Ralph did say Hawks have a great new facility. Then produced the line that Tullamarine is in the middle of no where.

Guess he has not looked at a map. I have been to the new Hawks base several times delivering various building stuff. It is in the middle of nowhere next to a tip on top of a hill that has more wind than just about anywhere in Melbourne. Those who have worked on the site described it as the arseh*le of Melbourne.

Was there last week. Impressive it is for sure now it is almost done. Not sure if they had a spongy surface. Maybe they do not and Zach likes it.

 

[Proper Gander]

BARRETT: Merrett must go after schoolyard fight with Dons turns nasty

The immature behaviour on display in Zach Merrett's dust-up with Essendon has pushed the relationship past the point of no return, writes Damian Barrett

www.afl.com.au

Barrett doing Barrett things. But then he lays the blame at Merrett's feet

This is one of the most embarrassingly dreadful articles I’ve read, and I’ve read some embarrassing stuff

 

[Stopher]

But again, he hasn't officially told the club he's leaving? This is piss poor by Zach, and I'm glad the club aren't using kid gloves for once.

 

[andleanback]

Why is it that every time we finish bottom 4 in the last 18 years, shit hits the fan and the club implodes? It's like we're playing the floor is lava and 15th is the lava.

2015 - 15th - Hird left, Carlisle uttered those famous words, terrible year off-field
2016 - 18th - 34 players banned, ironically a calm year
2020 - 15th - exodus including F/S, coach sacked but disguised as a succession plan
2022 - 15th - board spill, players disrespectful to coach, coach sacked, failed chase of premiership coach, hire and fire CEO in one day
2025 - 15th - Captain wants out, evolves into a nasty dispute

Act normal for once.

Hence why the club has always been afraid to rebuild. People in power were scared to deal with the media and fans coming for the club.

 

[Keystone agony]

But again, he hasn't officially told the club he's leaving? This is piss poor by Zach, and I'm glad the club aren't using kid gloves for once.

He doesnt need to spell it out to them

 

[Red Black and Blue]

I don’t know who at the club is responsible but handling of the Merrett situation has been farcical. These leaked stories have been ridiculous, while I don’t think it will hurt his trade value, it makes us look bizarrely run and will hurt our ability to attract players in the near future.

 

[Lore]

I don’t know who at the club is responsible but handling of the Merrett situation has been farcical. These leaked stories have been ridiculous, while I don’t think it will hurt his trade value, it makes us look bizarrely run and will hurt our ability to attract players in the near future.

There's precisely one leaked story and it's a bit weird. He finished some goal kicking practice in the hangar and then left, as pre-agreed with Ben Brown (one of the coaches). Caro described it as being disrespectful of the AFLW players, but we don't know who added the mayo.