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

[Lore]

There we go, that's the clip:

 

[bumsonseats]

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

Adrian.......you are back.

 

[HairyO]

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

Quite embarrassing if Merrett hasnt even requested a trade or spoken to anyone about leaving. If he came out and said "no idea why they felt they needed to say that, Im not going anywhere" it would be hilarious.

 

[GinniAndTonic]

Quite embarrassing if Merrett hasnt even requested a trade or spoken to anyone about leaving. If he came out and said "no idea why they felt they needed to say that, Im not going anywhere" it would be hilarious.

Only way they are discussing this is if he’s privately requested a trade which is the general consensus.

 

[DZ4]

8 + F1 would be around the mark. Perhaps Hawks add a fringe player as well and they swap later picks evening it up.

People are forgetting it doesn’t have to be fair. It has to benefit Essendon greatly and it needs to be a haul that can be sold to the members. Equally, Hawthorn don’t have to bite, but if they believe Merrett could be the difference I suspect they will pull the trigger.

 

[Yoda_]

Quite embarrassing if Merrett hasnt even requested a trade or spoken to anyone about leaving. If he came out and said "no idea why they felt they needed to say that, Im not going anywhere" it would be hilarious.

To shut up the imbeciles who are leaking private conversations

Charlie Curnow’s manager has played the same play as Zach’s

 

[Yoda_]

I genuinely don’t think people realise a few things.

Zac is arguably the best player we’ve drafted this century (maybe better than Jobe).

He is captain

He has 2 years left on a contract

He is durable as anything. Posted elsewhere he’s played something like 90+ % of available games. Incredible

Can argue all people want but being contracted means the buying club must satisfy the selling club here.

The days of Burgoyne, or Hay are over. It’s 2025 where a player who has finished 10th in his clubs b&f is about to earn $1.6m a year. The landscape has changed

FWIW, we take the moral high ground, keeping him and pray we turn this ship around in two years when he is out of contract

 

[Elixuh]

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

Same vibes as parole board refuse parole

 

[Hawkk]

Same vibes as parole board refuse parole

Is this even a thing unless the player has requested a trade. If so, how does he keep the captaincy?

 

[Stratton_Gun]

It will be interesting how plays out .

Merrett has not actually requested a trade or said anything on the record apart from how committed he is to the club.

Although when there's smoke there's usually fire.

I would be happy giving up Carlton's first this year and our first next year because if we get Merrett it's unlikely to be below #14 not including academy/FS etc.

Might be some steak knives either way.

 

[Burtman]

I genuinely don’t think people realise a few things.

Zac is arguably the best player we’ve drafted this century (maybe better than Jobe).

He is captain

He has 2 years left on a contract

He is durable as anything. Posted elsewhere he’s played something like 90+ % of available games. Incredible

Can argue all people want but being contracted means the buying club must satisfy the selling club here.

The days of Burgoyne, or Hay are over. It’s 2025 where a player who has finished 10th in his clubs b&f is about to earn $1.6m a year. The landscape has changed

FWIW, we take the moral high ground, keeping him and pray we turn this ship around in two years when he is out of contract

Do you honestly think you can turn the ship around in 2 years? I think by the time that things start turning zac will be pretty much done. I don’t think you have near enough young talent on the list and the next few years are going to be a terrible time to rebuild. How many essendon supporters have whinged over the years of taking shortcuts and not thinking of the long term future? And now there’s a chance to cash in on a player who’s entering the twilight of his career and you want to hang onto him? Yes You’ll be worse off the next 3 years but it’s the 10 after that, that you’ll see the benefit. Your current list has zero chance of pushing for a premiership in the next few years

 

[Lore]

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.

Ours is made up of business people who are also massive nuffies

 

[HirdsTheWord]

Do you honestly think you can turn the ship around in 2 years? I think by the time that things start turning zac will be pretty much done. I don’t think you have near enough young talent on the list and the next few years are going to be a terrible time to rebuild. How many essendon supporters have whinged over the years of taking shortcuts and not thinking of the long term future? And now there’s a chance to cash in on a player who’s entering the twilight of his career and you want to hang onto him? Yes You’ll be worse off the next 3 years but it’s the 10 after that, that you’ll see the benefit. Your current list has zero chance of pushing for a premiership in the next few years

i think you glazed over the word "pray"

realistically, we likely haven't even seen bottom yet - ergo why Merrett may want out in the first place.

the next 1-2 are going to be a very, very miserable place at Essendon.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

This ones getting some miles through trade week if it needs a media drop saying the board wont let him be traded, even if nothing comes of it.

 

[Yoda_]

Do you honestly think you can turn the ship around in 2 years? I think by the time that things start turning zac will be pretty much done. I don’t think you have near enough young talent on the list and the next few years are going to be a terrible time to rebuild. How many essendon supporters have whinged over the years of taking shortcuts and not thinking of the long term future? And now there’s a chance to cash in on a player who’s entering the twilight of his career and you want to hang onto him? Yes You’ll be worse off the next 3 years but it’s the 10 after that, that you’ll see the benefit. Your current list has zero chance of pushing for a premiership in the next few years

We’ve just blooded 15 debutantes, have 2 x firsts, 2 x early seconds and 2 x academy kids. Talent isn’t the issue. It’s putting it all together now. The sum of all these parts will define Brad Scott’s legacy.

For what it’s worth, the talent has been there, the fitness has been the issue. I’m more disappointed in Draper going than I thought I would. Moving on other perennially injured guys and getting games into early picks is a must.

As I said, if we can’t show signs where we want to be at the end of this contract, Zac will be 32, and he will owe us nothing.

Whether he is captain. Or not next year. I have no idea

 

[PhoenixBonez]

If a trade does end up happening I feel like it could be something like…

Merrett + 22
For
8 + F1 + F2

22 is worth more than a F2 but could get eaten up by a Sweid bid anyway so could suit both parties and gives a bit back the hawk’s way..

Not sure if the F2 would need to be 2027 with the new rules

 

[Lore]

Quite embarrassing if Merrett hasnt even requested a trade or spoken to anyone about leaving. If he came out and said "no idea why they felt they needed to say that, Im not going anywhere" it would be hilarious.

Who would he have spoken to? The list manager, his player manager, the coach?

Like perhaps in a two hour exit meeting where they thought they were doing a contract extension and ended up doing a review of the clubs overall list strategy and potential timeframe for success?

 

[Yoda_]

This ones getting some miles through trade week if it needs a media drop saying the board wont let him be traded, even if nothing comes of it.

Did you know finals were on? I had no idea until I put on a random YouTuber who reviewed some games

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Did you know finals were on? I had no idea until I put on a random YouTuber who reviewed some games

Unfortunately I am all too aware finals are on

#toosoon

 

[Yoda_]

Who would he have spoken to? The list manager, his player manager, the coach?

Like perhaps in a two hour exit meeting where they thought they were doing a contract extension and ended up doing a review of the clubs overall list strategy and potential timeframe for success?

This is the mystery. It genuinely is all here say (for now). People carrying on like it’s a sure thing annoy me

 

[Yoda_]

Unfortunately I am all too aware finals are on

#toosoon

You’ll be fine.

My research says you’ll be playing in prelims by 2027. Have faith

 

[Elixuh]

It will be interesting how plays out .

Merrett has not actually requested a trade or said anything on the record apart from how committed he is to the club.

Although when there's smoke there's usually fire.

I would be happy giving up Carlton's first this year and our first next year because if we get Merrett it's unlikely to be below #14 not including academy/FS etc.

Might be some steak knives either way.

Hawks basically need to pay double his worth in currency

 

[Lore]

We’ve just blooded 15 debutantes, have 2 x firsts, 2 x early seconds and 2 x academy kids. Talent isn’t the issue. It’s putting it all together now. The sum of all these parts will define Brad Scott’s legacy.

For what it’s worth, the talent has been there, the fitness has been the issue. I’m more disappointed in Draper going than I thought I would. Moving on other perennially injured guys and getting games into early picks is a must.

As I said, if we can’t show signs where we want to be at the end of this contract, Zac will be 32, and he will owe us nothing.

Whether he is captain. Or not next year. I have no idea

Debutants do not necessarily equate to having talent. It just means there was a spot open, and with our injuries it’s hardly surprising that spots would be open.

Don’t over-egg the pudding.

 

[Yoda_]

Debutants do not necessarily equate to having talent. It just means there was a spot open, and with our injuries it’s hardly surprising that spots would be open.

Don’t over-egg the pudding.

True, it sounds nice though

 

[Lore]

This is the mystery. It genuinely is all here say (for now). People carrying on like it’s a sure thing annoy me

It’s definitely a something. Whether he leaves or not there is a something here.

 

[SSSSSS]

Lol Essendon are such a joke of a club.

Ran like a bunch of amateurs.

The sooner they get rid of the old decrepit dumbcampaigners on their board the sooner they will start at the big boys table.

What board in any competent club is having such a significant say in list management discussions?