AFL Player # 7: Indefatigable Zach Merrett (c) - 3x AA 🏅🏅🏅 4x Crichton Medallist 🥇🥇🥇🥇

[Beerfish]

Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent 2027
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 10, I Remember Bluey

 

[Run and carry]

Zach's big call: The career-shaping decision facing star Bomber

With free agency approaching, star Bomber Zach Merrett needs to balance the pros and cons

www.afl.com.au

A very good analysis of Zach, by Callum Twomey.

As usual.

 

[rumply]

Billy's interview flops again! - Triple M Footy AFL

omny.fm

 

[DERO]

My Boy!

 

[Lore]

That's a lot of terrible puns...

 

[DERO]

That's a lot of terrible puns...

Unlistenable.

 

[ILikeCheese]

Pendles getting a quick word in there with Merrett at the end.
Surely that puts a line through Collingwood.

 

[Bjchan13]

Stay Zach

 

[VelvetSledge]

If we keep that sort of performance up, he ain’t going anywhere.

 

[fishardansin]

If Essendon nails this year's draft with mids and flankers like we did last year's with talls, the side will be very very good as Merrett peaks.

 

[NAB777]

One of the best things about this guy is that he often takes the low percentage option, but NAILS it & it opens up the game.

 

[Yoda_]

One of the best things about this guy is that he often takes the low percentage option, but NAILS it & it opens up the game.

That is right after his decision making. I’ve never seen anyone quite as composed as Zac


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[andleanback]

He’d be silly to leave now, green shoots left right and centre. Could be massive egg on face if he walks out.

 

[VelvetSledge]

The people begging him to stay on social media....

 

[Zach Package]

He’d be silly to leave now, green shoots left right and centre. Could be massive egg on face if he walks out.

He’s also a decent shout to be the highest paid player in the AFL next year by way of a front loaded contract.

Not that that seems to be a primary motivator

 

[Vindicater]

Seems to be loving his footy at the moment.

God I hope he stays.

 

[Schnitzengruben]

The people begging him to stay on social media....


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Generally are the same people who tell him to go **** himself after one bad performance.

 

[ILikeCheese]

Joey and Brisbane trying to get him on board. Would be a massive win for them if he left and we didn’t challenge the compo pick, 2 of our best players in 2 years and pay nothing pick wise under free agency.

 

[VelvetSledge]

I highly doubt Brisbane could afford him.

Regardless, * those guys.

 

[Unfazed]

Joey and Brisbane trying to get him on board. Would be a massive win for them if he left and we didn’t challenge the compo pick, 2 of our best players in 2 years and pay nothing pick wise under free agency.

Joey a bigger snake than first thought.

 

[11kgm]

so we have

Collingwood who are going down hard plus racism issues
Carlton no money surely and are struggling
Brisbane can't match financially surely
Port Adelaide maybe with Gray and Boak going down but would give them a flag
Melbourne shouldnt have money with May Lever Brown but right demographic

 

[Yoda_]

Could inconceivably be in the top 10 highest paid players if he does re sign.

A front loaded contract with our war chest could see him be the newest 7 figure salary player.


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[Falcon27]

When you think about the likes of the Bears, Port etc coming out and publicly expressing an interest, I think it’s just posturing by them more anything to maintain their brand. Their both currently in the window for success, but as soon as they drop the interest in their brand will disappear again until their next batch come through. It’s bit like “look how good we are at the moment, everyone wants in and we can chase the big names”. Those clubs will want to stay front of mind for as long as possible.

 

[DeezNuts]

In the end it doesn’t really matter who is or isn’t interested in Zach, the decision for him is purely stay at Essendon or leave

I’m certain we can offer as much if not more financial security than any other club, so the onus is on Essendon to show the future of football here looks good

I’m more confident than ever he’ll stay

 

[JayJ20]

I hope we don't sign him to a ridiculous Coniglio and Grundy-like contract.
No player is worth that unless you're Dusty. 5 years front-ended at 800K should be enough. 850K at most.

We have salary cap space, but I'd prefer to build a team that wants to stay together.

 

[Bjchan13]

I hope we don't sign him to a ridiculous Coniglio and Grundy-like contract.
No player is worth that unless you're Dusty. 5 years front-ended at 800K should be enough. 850K at most.

We have salary cap space, but I'd prefer to build a team that wants to stay together.

Terrible deals. We've seen both Collingwood and GWS losing players they cant afford to lose already and fall out of premiership contention in the space of 12 months. If Kelly takes up the option at GWS theyd have Cogs, Kelly, Whitfield and Greene, 4 players taking up at least 30% of the teams salary cap. Collingwood with Grundy, Moore, Adams and De Goey would be similiar.

In regards to Zach who is still only 25 and in his prime, id be happy to see us offer 5 x 900k, although his decision to stay/leave doesnt seem to have much to do with money. The only team i think he would be considering would be Melbourne.