- Bombers captain vehemently denies the claims
Essendon have been accused of undermining star midfielder Zach Merrett, with the captain seething at claims he acted disrespectfully towards the Bombers’ AFLW squad.
It comes as Merrett, 29, reportedly pushes for a trade to Hawthorn.
A report earlier this week claimed Merrett was deliberately being disruptive when the AFLW team were in a training session being conducted by head of development Ben Brown.
Merrett was completing a kicking drill indoors at the club’s Tullamarine base at the time.
Channel Seven reported Merrett encroached on the team’s space, with the footy star adamant the claim was leaked to the media by Essendon in an attempt to slur his character.
Merrett is tipped to win the Bombers’ Best and Fairest Crichton Medal for the sixth time in his career after another impressive season – but whether he attends the presentation night on October 2 remains to be seen.
Essendon have been accused of undermining star midfielder Zach Merrett, with the captain seething at claims he acted in a disrespectful manner towards the Bombers’ AFLW squad
It comes as Merrett, 29, pushes for a trade to Hawthorn (the skipper is pictured left, with teammate Xavier Duursma)
Essendon great Tim Watson believes there is no way back for Merrett, who is contracted until the end of 2027
The three-time All-Australian representative made his debut in 2014, and has comfortably been the club’s best player across 251 games.
Essendon great Tim Watson believes there is no way back for Merrett, who is contracted until the end of 2027.
Watson, a former captain and three-time premiership hero, has accepted Merrett will almost certainly be playing elsewhere next season.
The Bombers have maintained they won’t be trading Merrett, or key defender Jordan Ridley, despite their desire to leave.
‘Everything has moved in the wrong direction,’ Watson told SEN.
‘I wanted Essendon to find a way to communicate with him (Merrett) and repair the damage that’s been done… and then convince him there’s a future there for him.
‘But at the moment, I can’t see that happening.’
Watson also believes Merrett must be stripped of the captaincy – if he stays at the club – given he recently met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell.
Having not won a finals game since 2004, Essendon suffered a diabolical run with injuries this year that contributed to them losing 13 straight games to end the season in 15th spot.
