- Speech from club captain was cryptic
- Merrett, 30, is keen for a fresh start
- Made debut with Bombers in 2014
After Zach Merrett all but farewelled Essendon on Thursday night, the focus will now turn to whether the Bombers relax their hard-line stance on trading their contracted captain.
Merrett, 30, won his sixth Crichton Medal as the club’s best and fairest winner, just weeks after his interest in joining the Bombers’ fierce rivals was made public.
The skipper met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell and football boss Rob McCartney in September, despite being contracted until the end of 2027.
In his speech, Merrett addressed the speculation around his future and stressed he understood the Bombers – who have been adamant publicly they won’t trade him – could yet hold him to his contract.
‘The past few weeks have certainly been difficult for me, my family and for many people in and around the Essendon Football Club,’ he said.
‘I respect the club’s position regarding their desire to retain me at the football club and fully understand what it means to be a contracted player and captain.
‘I acknowledge that there are complexities and uncertainty right now, and regardless of the external noise and pressure, I’m willing and committed to continue working with the club and will, and with the help of those closest to me, work through those factors at play.
‘What I can say categorically is my approach to football has always been the same.
After winning his sixth Crichton Medal on Thursday night as Essendon’s best and fairest winner, attention now turns as to whether Zach Merrett remains at the struggling AFL club
The Essendon skipper recently met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell and football boss Rob McCartney, despite being contracted until the end of 2027
Merrett, 30, made his debut in 2014 with the Bombers – and the champion midfielder is yet to win a final
‘That is to stay ultra professional, gather the right information from people I trust, and make the best possible decisions for my career and family.
‘No club should be defined by one person, and Essendon is no different.’
The Bombers’ lack of success in Merrett’s 251 games across 12 years – he is yet to win a final – has clearly contributed to his desire to leave.
If Hawthorn are able to land the classy midfielder, they would immediately enter the conversation of AFL premiership favourites in 2026.
‘I don’t play football for individual honours,’ Merrett said.
‘I never have and never will. It’s all about being part of something much bigger. I think team success will always trump personal glory for me.
‘I’ve always been motivated by team success, elite standards and performance excellence.’
Merrett again indicated high performance played a role later in his speech.
‘If I’ve learned anything across my last 12 years time that I’ve shared with 160 teammates, a huge number of football department staff and the leadership of five coaches is more than just being passionate or hoping the club will get better,’ he said.
‘In elite sport, you must execute the shared vision and perform to the highest standards day in and day out.’
