Hird’s Merrett reveal casts shadow over mate’s first big Bombers job
James Hird says he was confident superstar midfielder Zach Merrett would have stayed at Essendon had Hird been appointed head coach.
Hird missed out on the Bombers job when his former teammate and close friend Mark McVeigh landed the role on Monday.
Zach Merrett is expected to leave the Bombers. AFL Photos via Getty Images
McVeigh immediately left his job at the embattled Swans and was reportedly in Bombers HQ having meetings about the playing list for next season.
The biggest change looming over the team is the likely departure of Merrett, who is expected to request a move again during the October trade period.
The 30-year-old onballer tried to go to Hawthorn last year but was refused a release by the club.
He began his AFL career in 2014 and briefly played under Hird, who coached the team before exiting in disgrace following the infamous peptides scandal that brought the proud club to its knees.
A Code Sports report earlier this week claimed Merrett would stay if Hird landed the job this time, but now looks likely to leave despite McVeigh also being a club great.
“Zach and I had discussions and I was pretty keen (on keeping him),” Hird confirmed on Nine’s Footy Classified on Tuesday.
“I was pretty sure Zach would have stayed.”
Hird had also been speaking to Giants forward Toby Greene and Lions midfielder Lachie Neale about potentially playing under him at Essendon. He and McVeigh worked with Greene when they were both at GWS several years ago.
Merrett and experienced defender Jordan Ridley are likely to request trades come October. Outspoken former player Kane Cornes has also suggested the likes of highly-paid players Darcy Parish and Ben McKay should be put up for trade.
But McVeigh has a glut of young talent already on the list he’s adopting, as well as the No.1 pick in this year’s AFL draft given Essendon finished bottom of the table.
While Hird missed out on the job he wanted, McVeigh indicated he will offer his friend a role of some kind at The Hangar.
Zach Merrett and Darcy Parish of the Bombers. Getty
Hird says he has fielded offers from other AFL clubs, too, but will consider working with his beloved Bombers if asked.
“I’d always take Mark’s phone call, the love is there both ways,” he said.
“We will sit down over time. But this is about Mark, his moment, and let him shape the club the way he wants it. I’ve got to give Mark the space he needs to do the job the best he can do.
“There have been a couple (of clubs) reach out in the last couple of weeks before this. I’ll have a good think about what I’m doing.
“I’m not worried about my life. I hope it is in football, because I love being in football, but if it’s not, it’s not. I really wanted that job, and I’m very disappointed I didn’t get it. But you have to move on.”
Hird says he was planning to offer McVeigh a job at the Bombers if he had become head coach.
The Bombers won just two games this season and collected the wooden spoon.
