Despite his failed attempt to leave Essendon, Zach Merrett has not ruled himself out of seeking the captaincy again next season.
For the first time since walking back in the door at the Hangar after his request to be traded to Hawthorn was denied, Merrett has spoken in detail, saying he is comfortable with the decision and knew all along it was a long shot to leave.
Zach Merrett has opened up about his off-season decision to request a trade from Essendon to Hawthorn. Credit: Essendon FC
Merrett, this year’s captain who won his sixth club best-and-fairest award while seeking to leave the Bombers, said he was at peace with not getting his wish and had not ruled himself out of seeking to lead the club next season – whether that be as captain is another matter.
“There will be a process, we’ll see what that looks like,” he said when asked if he would seek the captaincy again.
Merrett said his rationale for wanting out was not personal. In fact, he spoke glowingly of Essendon coach Brad Scott, declaring, “I have played my best footy under him”, and also of the club’s chief executive, Craig Vozzo, who he described as “the nicest person in football”. He also spoke of president Andrew Welsh’s support and of list manager Matt Rosa, who delivered on his promise to Merrett of drafting two elite, big-bodied midfielders to support him in that part of the ground and a clean ball user off half-back.
Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett during the 2022 season. Credit: Getty Images
Struggling to see the light Dyson Heppell’s retirement sowed the seeds of doubt for Merrett.
His predecessor as captain left the game without even a finals win. In the middle of this season, as player after player fell to injury and another season of mediocrity gurgled away, Merrett could see himself following Heppell’s career path.
This, he says, was the reason for his extraordinary attempt to parachute from the Bombers.
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“I’m very single-minded around success and very focused on growing and getting better and performing, but success underpins all of that stuff, and I knew I was knocking on the door of 30 [years old]. And I am really close with Dyson, and with him finishing up pretty recently, I always thought we’d have success together.
“And then seeing, not his pain, but the disappointment he had in the way his career finished, it was starting to hit home. As much as I want to play forever, I’m definitely on the back nine rather than the front, so it felt like, ‘Do I need a shift or new environment to achieve what I want to achieve?’
“Everyone’s journey is different, but I have had five head coaches and 160 teammates in my 12 years.
“Throughout the year, guys kept going down injured, and then we’re losing games. I was really trying to compartmentalise and focus
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