On a pivotal trade deadline day, the Essendon Football Club declined a significant offer from Hawthorn for their star player, Zach Merrett. The Bombers demanded four first-round draft picks and a future second-round pick, a price deemed excessive by the Hawks. As a result, Merrett remains with Essendon, leaving the club to mend relations with their captain, who expressed a strong desire to depart.
Merrett, a six-time best and fairest winner at Essendon, faced disappointment when the club upheld its position of keeping its key contracted player. The best offer from Hawthorn included three first-round draft picks—specifically, picks 10, 22, and a future first-round selection—as well as young player Henry Hustwaite. This proposal ultimately failed to sway Essendon management.
In an effort to facilitate his transfer, Zach Merrett reached out to the newly appointed Essendon president, Andrew Welsh, on Wednesday afternoon. During the conversation, he implored Welsh to allow him to leave the club. Despite the player’s expressed wishes, Essendon’s list manager, Matt Rosa, emphasized the organization’s commitment to retaining Merrett. Rosa stated, “We’ve been clear with Zach the whole way through that he’s a required player. He’s a really important piece of what we’re doing, and the strategy that we’ve got.”
The situation has generated considerable discussion among fans and analysts alike. Rosa acknowledged the challenges of having a captain seeking an exit, describing it as “not ideal.” Despite the turmoil, he assured that the team has kept players informed and that Merrett is well-regarded among his teammates, who reportedly want him to remain with the club.
The trade period also saw significant movements elsewhere, particularly involving Charlie Curnow, who is set to join Sydney after the Blues underwent a comprehensive roster overhaul. The team lost Curnow, Tom De Koning, and Jack Silvagni while acquiring new talent including Will Hayward, Ben Ainsworth, Ollie Florent, and Campbell Chesser. This reshuffle, alongside a collection of draft picks, positions the club favorably for future seasons.
As the dust settles from the trade period, the focus will inevitably shift back to Merrett and his relationship with the Essendon fans. The events leading up to the trade deadline have set the stage for a compelling narrative as the 2026 season approaches.
