Zach Merrett is again weighing up his future at Essendon, with rival clubs increasingly convinced the 30-year-old will seek a trade at season’s end.
Industry sources familiar with the situation believe Merrett has told people close to him that he is again open to leaving Essendon, after exploring a move away at the end of last season when nothing came of it. The latest uncertainty has also pushed talks between his management and the club over a possible contract extension to the backburner.
The timing matters because Merrett is coming off a 26-disposal game in Essendon’s 43-point drubbing by Fremantle on Sunday, a performance that did little to quiet the noise around his future. Brad Scott has already shown how strongly he wants to keep him, saying he had been “as animated and direct as I have been in my coaching career” in trying to retain the star midfielder.
Hawthorn and Melbourne are again the clubs most closely linked to the 30-year-old. Hawthorn showed serious interest last season and put forward two first round picks, one second round pick and fringe midfielder Henry Hustwaite, but Essendon rejected the offer. Melbourne also made a late play during the closing stages of the trade period, with one industry figure describing it as a “late throw at the stumps”.
At the time, then Melbourne chief executive Paul Guerra believed the Demons still had a chance of entering the trade scenario late in the piece, and Christian Petracca’s name was raised as a possible player to head the other way. Petracca ultimately found a new home at the Gold Coast, but Melbourne’s interest in Merrett is likely to intensify again given the club’s revival under new coach Steven King.
The Demons also have the financial flexibility to chase elite talent, which gives them a realistic path if Merrett decides Essendon is no longer where he wants to finish his career. For now, the clearest reading of the market is that the door remains open, and Essendon may need to prepare for another fight to keep one of its most important players.
