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

[Keystone agony]

King hates Scott!

I dont believe he does anymore

Hes said contrary, he said all that stuff was a long time ago, hes passed that

 

[Lore]

Morris may aswell be a Merrett mouthpiece. Club can't even offer him a top up without it coming out via him.

Whateley was suggesting something like that the other day. I forget what he called it though. But suggesting more money to stay. Was when he was talking to Nathan Buckley about it on radio and Buckley was saying he wouldn't do it.

 

[Keystone agony]

Atleast Hird is still for Essendon

I believe that was orchestrated, club has asked if Hird can get something out about that Sam Mitchell wanting to be a bomber

 

[Lore]

David King already said hes heard theres a disconnect between Coach and players, but i personally think it was more his opinion based on 3 players wanting to leave

Did he happen to listen to the Craig Vozzo interview the other day? Last question from Tim was about relationships with the coaches. Then Martin and Redman defended that, and then Caro was banging on about it a bit yesterday as well. King Parrot?

 

[YEMOC NAYR]

Atleast Hird is still for Essendon

I believe that was orchestrated, club has asked if Hird can get something out about that Sam Mitchell wanting to be a bomber

Funny.. mitchell taunting the players when he could of been apart of it.

 

[Doss]

Giving Merrett more money is a murderously stupid idea.

 

[Phone]

lmao. this one is a terrible idea from us

 

[nipst@r]

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

If Mackenzie goes to saints for a future 1st. We take that instead of the hawks. Might have to include a f3rd going back which I'd do.

 

[Phone]

once again James Hird doesn't understand what's best for Essendon

 

[MiguelM]

Giving Merrett more money is a murderously stupid idea.

Exactly, esp since he wants out for success.

I would say the bridges are burnt now and rightly so. He has tried to leave on multiple occasions and each time we bowed, not a strong message for culture IMO.

 

[madrigal]

Funny.. mitchell taunting the players when he could of been apart of it.

There is no evidence that he would have taken part.

 

[YEMOC NAYR]

Tbh I know we upped merrett last year but hearing he is on 850k.. felt like that was still underpaid. Would've thought with our list he'd command 1.3+ and noone would've bat an eye.

 

[nipst@r]

once again James Hird doesn't understand what's best for Essendon

Lloyd, hird, sheedy would prefer to see the club fail atm. When is someone gonna question the hird/Lloyd catch up earlier this year and ask if they have reached out as mentors recently to implore him to say.

 

[nipst@r]

Tbh I know we upped merrett last year but hearing he is on 850k.. felt like that was still underpaid. Would've thought with our list he'd command 1.3+ and noone would've bat an eye.

Upping his pay means he was on less. We must still have one hell of a war chest

 

[gillon]

It has really gone too far to come back from now.

Probably, but what kind of precedent does it set if we don’t get fair value for him (say 2 firsts minimum). Air your grievances publicly and we’ll trade you?

 

[Keystone agony]

Giving Merrett more money is a murderously stupid idea.

We looking desperate and disorganised

Surely this cant be Scott, surely he sees this

 

[MiguelM]

Probably, but what kind of precedent does it set if we don’t get fair value for him (say 2 firsts minimum). Air your grievances publicly and we’ll trade you?

This will be more common in the AFL in the future if the AFL don't give the clubs the right to trade a player against their will. Merrets actions should be seen as a breach of contract.

Gone too far players way. Happy to sign the long term deals then break them when they get a little disgruntled.

 

[nipst@r]

I find it staggering Scott and vozzo only reached out now. But who knows what is true.

As soon as story broke surely it's a sms saying door's open if you want to chat through things.

Either really fed up with his antics or a fractured club.

Think scott knows he won't survive another step backwards.

 

[doug85]

I reckon the pay increase is fake. Club just putting it out to act as if we’re serious about keeping him.

 

[Lore]

I reckon the pay increase is fake. Club just putting it out to act as if we’re serious about keeping him.

It's coming from Tom Morris, so probably not fake. just pointless

 

[DonsRule]

I dont believe he does anymore

Hes said contrary, he said all that stuff was a long time ago, hes passed that

I don't really believe that tbh. I think its just a throw away line to make it sound amicable while both are in very public positions



As for Essendon's increased offer I'd imagine its just PR at this point and not backing themselves completely into a corner in that hes still very much a wanted player

 

[doug85]

It's coming from Tom Morris, so probably not fake. just pointless

I mean that the club knows the pay increase will do nothing. It’s just to signal to the market we’re legitimately keen to keep Zach (but we’re probably not).

I’m sure we did put a pay increase to Zach

 

[jmoo wan]

this is just like wrestling - it’s sports entertainment - nothing is real but it’s more fun if you believe it.

Merrett’s heel turn is the best thing for the AFL to ensure engagement through the lean next few months. no one gives a shit about finals, or snoop diggity dog - that’s done in a couple of weeks. this will get us to november at least .

 

[DERO]

Just making sure Hawthorn pay up! You're welciome Zach!

 

[Keystone agony]

It's coming from Tom Morris, so probably not fake. just pointless

We couldve fed morris a white lie