Player Watch # 7: Zachary Merrett (vc)

[Beerfish]

Contract Status: Restricted Free Agent 2021
Last Game Played: Currently in the side
Injury Status: n/a

 

[VelvetSledge]

Welcome to the Essendon Football Club, Zach Merrett!

Height: 179 cm
Weight: 76kg
D/O/B: 3/10/1995
Position: Anywhere, can be played all over the ground
Recruited From: Sandringham Dragons

Key Strengths:

• Extremely smart decision maker, always looks for a better option
• Knows where to find the goals
• Great kick, extremely clean hands
• Kicks on both feet, models himself on Sam Mitchell

Weaknesses:

• Occasionally tries to thump the ball for no real reason
• Hasn't experienced a full pre-season yet due to prior cricket commitments

A great steal for us. Merrett, like his older brother Jackson, has a real burst of pace and X-Factor about him, and shares the classy ball use. At Sandringham in 2013, he averaged a stellar 26 disposals per game, and developed his composure at a super quick rate. He has drawn some criticism for some questionable disposal at times, but has quickly corrected that. An extremely talented small midfielder who can play at both ends of the ground.

Video highlights are here.

 

[Doss]

Only a few hours to go- just a reminder for everyone, as soon as pick 26 is announced, I'll be updating the title and throwing this open for discussion.

But please don't create separate player threads when we already have these.

Cheers.

 

[Doss]

Welcome to the Essendon Football Club, Zachary Merrett!

 

[loopy_cam]

Zak'n'Jack

 

[Old Campaigner]

Glad we got him, teams can always use a guy who can make the right decision and execute it with a cannon left boot.

 

[Duckworth]

We have the Merretts!

 

[Duckworth]

I mean... SNAP!

 

[Loonerty]

Very happy with this.

Welcome to the Bombers, Zac!

 

[Zach Package]

Welcome Zach!

Look forward to years of him hitting Joe on the chest with low laser passes

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Elite foot skills are not something that is easy to coach. Amazed he lasted till 26, sort of glad St Kilda took a smokey with one of their 18/19 picks, and Geelong taking Lang helped too.

 

[hollywood23]

This kid reminds me of Luke Power watching his video. Reckon he will be better than his brother. Welcome

 

[Ashton Agar]

Welcome to the greatest club in the world Zach.

Reckon he will take #19 next to Jackson?

 

[Keystone agony]

Elite foot skills are not something that is easy to coach. Amazed he lasted till 26, sort of glad St Kilda took a smokey with one of their 18/19 picks, and Geelong taking Lang helped too.

Who out of Dunstan/Acres was a smokey?

Im happy with him because hes a bit different to what we already have in regards to elite skills, lefty, good decision maker and hes a decent size. Dont know who id compare him to.

 

[Aussie Assault]

Is he a better prospect than his older brother at the same time in his draft days?

Sent from my Galaxy S3 4G

 

[Ess_don]

Well according to our drafting team, they rated him as Top 15.. so thats how many years in a row now we've taken sliders?
Did we even have to spread rumours this time around?

 

[eth-dog]

Well according to our drafting team, they rated him as Top 15.. so thats how many years in a row now we've taken sliders?
Did we even have to spread rumours this time around?

Nah, I bet Zach just told everybody that he wanted to play with his older brother

 

[Keystone agony]

Anyone know his endurance/tank?

Seems we have moved on from the converting of halfbacks to mids and now stacking our side with small undersized half forward flankers

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Who out of Dunstan/Acres was a smokey?

Im happy with him because hes a bit different to what we already have in regards to elite skills, lefty, good decision maker and hes a decent size. Dont know who id compare him to.

The Gold Coast pick, got them mixed up, was trying to remember which one.

 

[blitzer]

I'm pretty excited that we have a pair of brothers at the club. Plus I've been a fan of Jackson Merrett since I first saw him and the idea of having another one sounds pretty good to me.

Also I like that we went with some pacy options this year, our list was becoming a little one-paced so now I think we are better balanced in that respect. We also could afford to get a few shorter guys given we already have a few taller midfielders. Plus guys with good foot skills + pace + decent ball winning capability are extremely valuable as a combination. Nice pick up.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Anyone know his endurance/tank?

Seems we have moved on from the converting of halfbacks to mids and now stacking our side with small undersized half forward flankers

Wasn't that one of his strong points pre-draft? Could be wrong though!

 

[yaco55]

Happy with this selection and pleasantly surprised that he was available. You can't beat good ball users - They are worth their weight in gold.

 

[Rack Watts]

It took us ages to pick him, but I am glad we did!

 

[Westlo]

It took us ages to pick him, but I am glad we did!

Probably tossing up between him, Dumont and Taylor, either one would've been a great pick up.

I hope Taylor isn't the one we let get away... though a lot of clubs passed on him, some multiple times.

 

[Harlequin]

Welcome to our Club Zac. I look forward to watching you in the Red and Black

 

[Rack Watts]

I hope they give him number 19. I really think this could bring the best out of both players, was super surprised that Gold Coast didn't take JK as well as KK.
The Merrett Brothers.
Let's hope they're our Burgoyne's, Cornes' or Scott brothers.