Recommitted Zach Merrett [UFA 2027] - Wanted a trade to Hawthorn, but it didn't get done

[Lore]

There we go, that's the clip:

 

[eth-dog]

Not disagreeing with Hustwaite, but Reeves would be a large upgrade on Bryan.

Would he? Bryan and Reeves mostly played VFL in 2024, Bryan got into the VFL TOTY and Reeves didn't even make the squad. Bryan is coming off an ACL however saying Reeves is a "large upgrade" on Bryan is just patently incorrect. He might be level based on Bryan coming back from an ACL next year but I'd rather Bryan long term over Reeves by a not insignificant margin with a 3 year age gap there as well. And honestly, I have zero issues with using Blakiston early on next year if Bryan isn't fit for round 1.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Indecision about rebuilding...

Either you do it, or you dont.

Back in 2004, The hawks traded out all our decent Players, Hay, Rawlings Thompson for Picks... We committed to the rebuild, and were not half arsed. In return we got a couple of handy ones back, and won a flag 4 years later.

You need to be bold, and have a clear direction about what you wanna do as a club, but I can tell you.. Zach Merrett Playing 18-22 games next year as your #1 mid just takes opportunity away from someone else that needs to step up.

Again, think Tom Mitchell and Jager O'Meara making way for Jai Newcome and Will Day. Very Similar vibe to where you guys are

Merrett isn’t Hay, Rawlings, Thompson… perhaps Crawford is the best comparison.

 

[TylerDurden]

We don't need Reeves. But if you think a VFL ruck, VFL midfielder, a first round pick that will end up in the mid teens and a shuffle of picks will get one of the best contracted players in the game...

What do you think he's worth?
Bearing in mind he's 30, and his management approached Hawthorn?

 

[Great8]

What do you think he's worth?
Bearing in mind he's 30, and his management approached Hawthorn?

Pick 8 and a future first. Get it done on day 1 of trade period and move on

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Pick 8 and a future first. Get it done on day 1 of trade period and move on

Even if both end up being teen picks? Hawks finish top 4 in 2026 with Merret in the side

A teen pick in a crap shallow draft doesn't help us

 

[Great8]

Even if both end up being teen picks? Hawks finish top 4 in 2026 with Merret in the side

A teen pick in a crap shallow draft doesn't help us

I’m biased because I know a few of the lads in the draft this year and I reckon we can get some decent kids in.
Picks can also be traded, moved around to help give us a strong hand next year too

 

[eth-dog]

What do you think he's worth?
Bearing in mind he's 30, and his management approached Hawthorn?

Bearing in mind Hawthorne approached his management hoping they could get him cheaply? A lot more than that.

 

[Scotland]

Merrett isn’t Hay, Rawlings, Thompson… perhaps Crawford is the best comparison.

Perhaps.

Hay was 26 when traded in 2005. Rawlings was 26 when traded in 2003. Thompson was 26 when traded in 2004. They were good players (Hay was AA once) but their value was being key position players in their prime. Ottens, Stenglein, Jolly, Moloney, Scott Thompson, Josh Carr all moved for first round picks in the 2004 trade period and all were early to mid 20s. As crap as we are right now there is NFW I am doing the Tom Barrass trade if he's 25/26 rather than 29/30.

Merrett is 30 in October which is the same age Crawford was in 2004 when Clarkson came in. Crawford played 4 more seasons and recorded 7, 5, 6, 0 Brownlow votes having been their best player from the mid to late 90s to the early 2000s. Danger is great at 35, Pendles is great at 37, Sidebottom is great at 34 -but let's not pretend these guys are still elite midfielders. Merrett has polled 10-20 Brownlow votes every year since 2016. There seems to be this unrealistic idea getting traction that he's different to other players in their 30s.

 

[TylerDurden]

Bearing in mind Hawthorne approached his management hoping they could get him cheaply? A lot more than that.

Haha righto.
Assuming he liked what he saw at Dingley a few days ago.

 

[MasterSamurai]

Love Zach since I saw him play against the hawks back in 2015-16!!! You could tell he was gonna be something special that kid. But at 30, I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't worried about longevity. I know he doesn't miss games, neither did deledio until he went to the giants and then was wrecked for the next few years not really moving the needle as much as they would've liked .

 

[MarkJohnson#1]

Freo got pick 6, 19 and 55, and gave up pick 30 for 25 year old Lockie Neale.
Merrett is not getting 2x first rounders.

Just because you got taken up the rear end in that trade doesn’t mean we should do the same for a contracted Merrett.

 

[Keystone agony]

They were never available to be drafted anyway! Regardless of what number they are selected in the draft. There clubs will match!

Yep so we get the 14th best kid in a weak top end pool

 

[Keystone agony]

Freo got pick 6, 19 and 55, and gave up pick 30 for 25 year old Lockie Neale.
Merrett is not getting 2x first rounders.

You probably got taken to the cleaners a smidge

But people need to know the different between pick 6 in a strong top end draft vs pick 14 in a weak top end draft

Let alone being 8 places higher

Essendon arent letting their captain walk out for avg return

Pick 6 was Ben King (Pick 5 Rozee, Pick 7 Bailey Smith)

I'm not allowing it for 8(14) and F1. He can stay

 

[HairyO]

Again

Dons fans will be surprised how easily this goes through

Merrett been on the hook awhile

So their desire for Weddle isnt happening?

 

[BIGHAWK23]

So their desire for Weddle isnt happening?

More chance of Josh Thurgood getting picked this week

 

[triple treat]

Pick 8+F1+Worpel compo and Hustwaite as steak knives

And a partridge in a pear tree.

 

[FootyGuru]

Do hawks fans think they can get both Merrett and petracca?

 

[HairyO]

Do hawks fans think they can get both Merrett and petracca?

Im sure it could happen, but I kind of dont want to. Basically we are saying we have 2 or 3 years and then start again. Particularly if it costs us players who hadnt really thought about leaving but feel pushed out because our midfield suddenly grew (Worpel out but Day, Merrett and Petracca coming in means no chance for Hustwaite or Mackenzie to move up).

 

[Keystone agony]

Do hawks fans think they can get both Merrett and petracca?

I think if they could, theyd rsther leave that gap for Butters in 12 months, instead of taking themselves out of that race

There could well be seen as only 2 looking successful melbourne sides next year (Dogs and Hawks), so you wouldn't want to give that opportunity away



On a different note, if were demanding Weddle then this just aint happening, he aint gonna want to be at essendon, why would he

 

[Hawkk]

Not sure why this is a board discussion but there you are…

 

[Hawkk]

I think if they could, theyd rsther leave that gap for Butters in 12 months, instead of taking themselves out of that race

There could well be seen as only 2 looking successful melbourne sides next year (Dogs and Hawks), so you wouldn't want to give that opportunity away



On a different note, if were demanding Weddle then this just aint happening, he aint gonna want to be at essendon, why would he

I’m not even prepared to get into the Butters to Hawthorn talk. Not when the Dogs and Cats are in the picture…

 

[Keystone agony]

Not sure why this is a board discussion but there you are…

Boards generally tick off on players leaving/arriving especially high profiles

 

[FootyGuru]

I think if they could, theyd rsther leave that gap for Butters in 12 months, instead of taking themselves out of that race

There could well be seen as only 2 looking successful melbourne sides next year (Dogs and Hawks), so you wouldn't want to give that opportunity away



On a different note, if were demanding Weddle then this just aint happening, he aint gonna want to be at essendon, why would he

Can they fit Trac 1.4 million and butters 1.6 million in their cap.

 

[Keystone agony]

Can they fit Trac 1.4 million and butters 1.6 million in their cap.

Merrett aint gonna be on a heap less than 1.6

So id say if they can fit Trac and Zerrett then yes

 

[Hawkk]

Boards generally tick off on players leaving/arriving especially high profiles

Would have thought it would be a football department decision not the board — which is largely made up of business people who have no idea about football.