'Rock bottom' Essendon a 'rabble' amid trade rumours involving skipper Zach Merrett

Former Essendon player David Zaharakis has labelled the club a "rabble" following news current skipper Zach Merrett is considering walking away from the Bombers.

In the aftermath of reports CEO Craig Vozzo offended players by the way he spoke to them about drug use, the Bombers rejected any thought of trading Merrett to the Hawks after he met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell last month.

But talk won't go away of Merrett's potential departure and Zaharakis, who was not a member of the "Essendon 34" due to his non-participation in the injection regime, said the club is in a darker period than when he was playing.

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"I honestly thought my period at Essendon was a pretty rough period – especially 2015-16," Zaharakis told Triple M's The Rush Hour with JB & Billy.

"Everyone thought we had hit rock bottom, but I honestly believe we are very close, if not further, to rock bottom than what we were then.

"The stories that have come out this year about players wanting to leave and the locker room divide; even with the CEO (Craig Vozzo) and the players are disgruntled… there's too many stories happening at the moment at Essendon.

"As a past player, you're pretty disappointed and shattered with where the club is at. It seems like we've gone backwards, rather than forwards."

Merrett is contracted until the end of 2027, and the club is adamant they won't let him leave. But Zaharakis said the Bombers are in a difficult position and that he could never envision the likes of Jobe Watson or Dyson Heppell walking away as skipper.

"As a playing group, to have controversy almost every day and week. Walking into that locker room, I don't know how you wouldn't be divided. There'd be certain and different opinions of what's going on with Zach (Merrett) leaving. 'Do we want him back?' 'Do we want him captain?' 'Do we want to play with him next year?'

"In my time as a player, I never had a captain wanting to leave. Jobe Watson and Dyson Heppell… Jobe and Dys, you'd never even think about them entertaining something like this. So, with Zach there and potentially entertaining that (trade), I wouldn't think you'd want him to be a captain next year.

"I love Zach as a person, and he was a great teammate of mine, but it would be hard to look that person in the eye and say, 'Are you fully committed to this footy club?' ... I personally don't see it happening (him staying)."

Speaking at the club awards night last Thursday, Merrett expressed regret over the Bombers current state.

"I'm disappointed where we're at. I love the club. I barracked for Essendon since I was born, so it wasn't like I just played for them and was passing through," Zaharakis added.

"I'm an Essendon person through-and-through. I'm now just a long-suffering fan like everyone else and I just want the club to succeed. You do sit back and can't help but feel disappointed."

On Monday, Merrett was a bit more forthcoming about his situation with the team.

"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," Merrett said.

"I acknowledge that there are complexities and uncertainty right now, regardless of the external noise and pressure. I'm willing and committed to continue working with the club and with the help of those closest to me work though those factors at play."