AFL trade period day 1 recap: Ex-teammate rips ‘horrendous’ new Pendlebury look

And that’s where we’ll leave the blogging for today, folks.

Thanks for tuning in to our coverage of day one of the trade period.

We will be back again tomorrow!

In the Hawks’ statement confirming their attainment of Zach Merrett, list boss Mark McKenzie was quoted.

“We are delighted to welcome Zach, his wife Alexandra, and their son Jude to Hawthorn,” McKenzie said.

“A seven-time best and fairest winner and three-time All Australian, Zach has long been celebrated as one of the most elite midfielders in the AFL and he will play a key role in our side for many years to come.

“In addition to his relentless desire to succeed, Zach’s professionalism and competitiveness are second to none – he’s the sort of player that drives high standards and helps make others around him better.

“We are very excited about what Zach brings to our club. I’m sure he’s incredibly motivated to get to work with his new teammates and help propel Hawthorn towards its next premiership.”

The Bombers were classy with the statement they released confirming Zach Merrett’s exit to the Hawks.

“Zach Merrett will depart Essendon this off-season, leaving a legacy as one of the club’s greatest players of the 21st century,” the club said.

The statement rattled off his long list of accolades in red and black, including his three All-Australian selections and equal-record seven best and fairest awards.

And chief executive Tim Roberts hailed the departing superstar as a “champion of our football club”.

“It’s always hard to see a player of Zach’s standing leave, but it doesn’t take away from what he achieved here, or the pride he gave our members and supporters over 13 seasons,” Roberts said.

"Zach set the bar for what it takes to be an elite footballer. His preparation, his consistency and his refusal to accept anything less than his best became the standard others were measured against, and the work he did guiding our younger players in recent years will benefit this club for a long time.”

A four-year deal worth $4 million, plus a trigger for a fifth season.

Those are the bumper details of the deal Zach Merrett has signed with Hawthorn, according to afl.com.au’s Cal Twomey.

If the trigger for a fifth season in 2031 is hit, Merrett will be 36 come the end of his time at the Hawks.

Hawthorn is clearly backing the durability of the midfield gun.

Click here to read more.

The Suns have trumpeted their signing of Magpies icon Scott Pendelbury in a post on Instagram, showing off their prized recruit in the Gold Coast strip.

And Brayden Maynard, who played with Pendlebury at Collingwood, has let the footy world know exactly his thoughts.

“Looks horrendous,” the premiership Pie commented.

Seeing Pendlebury in a Suns jumper sure does look strange.

Zach Merrett is off to Hawthorn.

AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey reports Essendon has finally agreed to send the former Bombers skipper to the Hawks, in exchange for picks 15, 25 and a future second-rounder.

Hello!

It’s Zachary Gates jumping in the live blog for an arvo shift – and as I do, afl.com.au’s Cal Twomey is reporting Zach Merrett is likely to have his Hawthorn wish granted today.

The Hawks are now offering an upgraded third pick, on top of picks 15 and 25, Twomey reports.

A year after Essendon hit Hawthorn with the big “don’t argue”, it appears the former Bombers skipper is finally about to become a Hawk.

As per afl.com.au reporter Cal Twomey, Hawthorn are nearing closer to getting a deal over the line for Zach Merrett.

Twomey reports that the Hawks have improved their offer for the 31-year-old and have included picks 15 and 25 as well as an upgraded third pick in their new deal.

An early trade agreement could be on the cards soon for Merrett.

The Gold Coast Suns have confirmed the signing of Scott Pendlebury.

The club came to an agreement with Collingwood in exchange for pick 65, with Pendlebury inking a four-year deal with the Queensland-based team.

Pendlebury said in a statement released by the Suns that he is excited to be part of a club that he has “really admired” from afar in recent years.

“It’s an exciting group here at the Suns and the opportunity to bring a few different ideas and also learn from a great group of coaches and players is one I’m really looking forward to,” he said.

“This side is one I’ve watched from afar and really admired. I’ve got a bit of knowledge about the industry, so I’m here to play my role and help this squad continue to develop.”

Suns list boss Kall Burns is excited to welcome a champion of the game to the club.

“Bringing a player with his wealth of knowledge and experience to our club provides another opportunity for our list to continue to grow as we strive to consistently contend and win finals,” Burns said in a statement.