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- Oct 29, 2020
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First off, i come in peace. Tough times for both our clubs. Trying to rebuild in the current AFL landscape is a joke - you gotta think outside the square to get ahead in this world. So here is a very legal way for Essendon to rig the 2026 AFL draft to maximum advantage.
Zach Merrett clearly wants out. I think Essendon did the right thing standing its ground on him last year, but based on 2026 already, I can't see that playing out the same if/when he tries to push himself out the door again.
So lets devise the plan to make it a win / win for everyone.
Remember "The Veale Deal" ? When Jade Rawlings wanted out & the Dogs traded you Lachlan Veale for pick 6?
Remember when Daniher went to the Lions? Then 12 months later he re-negotiated his contract?
Do both of that with Zach.
Trade a non-required player to the Hawks for their 1st rounder with a mutual understanding tyou will allow Zach to move in the 2026 off-season, a year early.
Then, Re-negotiate his contract so that instead of it expiring in 2027, it ends in 2026. There is no rule against this.
This makes him a free agent at years end. Which then allows you access to a compo pick.
If you finish bottom, you will get pick 2 for him, plus the Hawks first round pick this year as a "Veale Deale"
The AFL let the Lions re-negotiate the Daniher deal, so what rules are you breaking by doing the same to allow Zach to leave? The AFL also allowed the "Bowes" deal between Gold Coast and the Cats, which saw Geelong get Bowes & Pick 7 for a future 3rd round pick.
The Hawks would happily play along, as they only give away one 1st rounder to get Zach, instead of 3. It also allows the club to break ties with Zach in a mutually friendly way, avoid all the drama of trade period. Its clean & everyone has a clear understanding of what is happening. You can even agree then just just sit Zach for the remainder of the year to avoid serious injury, if the Hawks want to add a 2nd round pick to the Veale Deal.
And for you guys, getting pick 2 & 14(is) for Zach is a much better deal than the package you were offered last year, which most likely - will be worse this year.
You can even agree then just just sit Zach for the remainder of the year to avoid serious injury, if the Hawks want to add a 2nd round pick to the Veale Deal.
The system is completely rigged against our clubs, with the AFL happily allowing broken systems to be exploited by the teams which represent their interest. You 2025 draft was a great step in the right direction. Going into this year with possibly pick 1,2 & 14 would be the moment where your club can actually rebuild in the way you need to - from the tippy top.
Zach Merrett clearly wants out. I think Essendon did the right thing standing its ground on him last year, but based on 2026 already, I can't see that playing out the same if/when he tries to push himself out the door again.
So lets devise the plan to make it a win / win for everyone.
Remember "The Veale Deal" ? When Jade Rawlings wanted out & the Dogs traded you Lachlan Veale for pick 6?
Remember when Daniher went to the Lions? Then 12 months later he re-negotiated his contract?
Do both of that with Zach.
Trade a non-required player to the Hawks for their 1st rounder with a mutual understanding tyou will allow Zach to move in the 2026 off-season, a year early.
Then, Re-negotiate his contract so that instead of it expiring in 2027, it ends in 2026. There is no rule against this.
This makes him a free agent at years end. Which then allows you access to a compo pick.
If you finish bottom, you will get pick 2 for him, plus the Hawks first round pick this year as a "Veale Deale"
The AFL let the Lions re-negotiate the Daniher deal, so what rules are you breaking by doing the same to allow Zach to leave? The AFL also allowed the "Bowes" deal between Gold Coast and the Cats, which saw Geelong get Bowes & Pick 7 for a future 3rd round pick.
The Hawks would happily play along, as they only give away one 1st rounder to get Zach, instead of 3. It also allows the club to break ties with Zach in a mutually friendly way, avoid all the drama of trade period. Its clean & everyone has a clear understanding of what is happening. You can even agree then just just sit Zach for the remainder of the year to avoid serious injury, if the Hawks want to add a 2nd round pick to the Veale Deal.
And for you guys, getting pick 2 & 14(is) for Zach is a much better deal than the package you were offered last year, which most likely - will be worse this year.
You can even agree then just just sit Zach for the remainder of the year to avoid serious injury, if the Hawks want to add a 2nd round pick to the Veale Deal.
The system is completely rigged against our clubs, with the AFL happily allowing broken systems to be exploited by the teams which represent their interest. You 2025 draft was a great step in the right direction. Going into this year with possibly pick 1,2 & 14 would be the moment where your club can actually rebuild in the way you need to - from the tippy top.
