Merrett leaves door ajar ahead of crunch meeting with new coach
Updated . First published
Essendon star Zach Merrett admits “there is a world” where he remains at the Bombers beyond this season, as he prepares to meet with new coach Mark ‘Spike’ McVeigh this week.
The six-time Bombers best and fairest winner, who could win his seventh club medal next month, requested a trade to Hawthorn last year, becoming the first Essendon captain to ever push a move to their arch rivals.
Essendon’s Zach Merrett speaks candidly about his future. Nine
The Hawks ultimately offered pick 10, as well as two middling future picks and fringe midfielder Henry Hustwaite for Merrett, which the Bombers turned down, opting to hold him to his contract.
Merrett then stood down as Essendon captain and returned for the 2026 season, playing consistently in a side that would ultimately win the wooden spoon. The Hawks meanwhile are preparing to host a preliminary final.
The 30-year-old is expected to once again request a trade to Hawthorn, but a meeting with McVeigh, who was recently appointed coach, will come first.
It comes as Essendon legend James Hird revealed in August that Merrett was likely set to stay at Tullamarine if he had been appointed coach.
“Zach and I had discussions and I was pretty keen (on keeping him),” Hird told Nine’s Footy Classified.
“I was pretty sure Zach would have stayed.”
Speaking exclusively to 9News Melbourne on Sunday night, Merrett left the door ajar to remaining a Bomber.
"There's a world (where I stay). I'll work through with Spike what's best for us and what's best for them and then make the best decision moving forward for both parties," Merrett said.
"It was obviously pretty difficult winning two games, a coach getting sacked at round 12, so it was a pretty difficult and long, emotionally draining season.
"Catching up with Spike over the next couple of days to assess what's best for me, but also Essendon and what moves are next."
At the end of the day, it remains Essendon’s call whether Merrett actually gets traded or not as he is contracted to the club for 2027.
The Bombers could once again put their foot down and refuse to move him if they chose to.
However, reports across the last few months have indicated they are more willing to play ball with Hawthorn this time around.
