Another player who saw his dreams dashed was Zach Merrett, a next-gen player for the Essendon Football Club. His dream of playing for the Hawthorn Football Club was not realized. Essendon, for their part, pulled out the stops to demonstrate their reluctance to trade the prolific midfielder, despite him reportedly being willing to make the move. He has four years remaining on his present deal. As can be expected, this decision has drawn a wide range of responses from both his family and football commentators.
Merrett’s manager, Tom Petroro, found himself reportedly in spirited negotiations with Hawthorn officials over the possibility of such a trade. Hawthorn suggested a package of draft picks and player Henry Hustwaite to land Merrett’s services. First, Essendon thought the better of it, having taken a long hard look at the trade on offer.
Alexandra Merrett, Zach’s wife, expressed her disappointment publicly regarding Essendon’s stance. She even went on Instagram to respond to the failed-in-practice trade, revealing her endorsement of her husband’s dream. Her sentiments echo the mounting anger at this club’s willingness to keep Zach on his contract.
Petroro went on to stress that Merrett was “all in” on coming across to Hawthorn, underscoring the player’s willingness to go through the transition and make it happen. This is not without contention, as not everybody is on board with the method used by Petroro. It prompted former Magpies player Kane Cornes to tear into him for misreading Essendon’s determination to hold on to their emerging AFL superstar.
“He underestimated the Bombers, didn’t he, Tom Petroro — that was his biggest error,” – Kane Cornes
Now, Cornes has been clear that Merrett should see out his contract at Essendon. This commitment was made official when he put pen to paper, signing the contract. He stated, “He said that Zach has given his all to the footy club — well, that’s Zach’s job, Tom. Zach’s job is to actually fulfil his contract, which you signed, mind you.”
Tensions mounted even more when Google’s Blake Hardwick went on social media to share his perspective on the matter. He posted a photo of the Essendon logo. In the post’s caption, he even dropped the word “Alcatraz,” perhaps referencing his current club’s imprisonment-like tactics by refusing to trade Merrett.
As the dust starts to settle on this trade saga, both Merrett and Essendon will now need to turn the page. The player remains contracted with the club for four more years, while the management navigates the implications of this public fallout.
