Essendon skipper Merrett meets with Hawthorn

Essendon captain Zach Merrett has met with Hawthorn, according to SEN’s Tom Morris.

The Bombers star is exploring the possibility of leaving the club he has skippered since 2023 and where he was won five best and fairest awards.

Merrett is contracted until 2027.

Morris says the meeting took place on Tuesday night with Hawks coach Sam Mitchell and football boss Rob McCartney.

“Zach Merrett, the Essendon captain, met with Hawthorn on Tuesday night as he explores a way out of the club,” Morris said on SEN’s Whateley.

“The contingent included Sam Mitchell, the coach, Rob McCartney, the footy boss.

“I have to say it’s probably the surest sign yet - if we didn’t know already - that he is at the very least considering leaving, or at the very most actively looking to get out.”

Morris says the manager of the 29-year-old, Tom Petroro, has been speaking to rival clubs in recent times.

This meeting with the Hawks suggests to Morris that a possible trade could become a distinct possibility.

“Zach Merrett’s management has been speaking to clubs for some time now around what it would look like if he does want to get out,” added Morris.

“The Western Bulldogs and Collingwood have been mentioned and I’m sure other clubs have been involved in discussions as well.

“It’s culminated last night in Zach actually meeting with the Hawks. Sam Mitchell we know loves meeting players and prospective trade recruits. He did so with Oscar Allen earlier in the year.

“Even if he does end up going, or adamant that he wants to go, there’s not going to be an official trade request like there often is in other matters. This will just evolve to a point where Essendon eventually get a deal that they might be comfortable with.

“Essendon at the moment will understandably say, ‘He’s not going anywhere, he’s our player, he’s our captain, he’s contracted’. I don’t think they knew he with Hawthorn last night, but these things evolve.

“I would not rule a line through this until the very end of the trade period. I think Hawthorn is pretty keen.”

Watson urges Merrett to publicly address Essendon exit talk

The Essendon board took a firm stance on Merrett on Tuesday, informing his camp that he will not be traded from the club under any circumstances.

As reported by Channel 9 journalist Morris, the Bombers' board met late on Monday night to discuss the future of their club captain, unanimously deciding that the star midfielder would not be traded from the club.

This comes as reports have widely suggested that Merrett has been weighing up significant interest from rival clubs, with his commitment to Essendon far from unwavering in recent weeks.

Merrett reportedly had a meeting with high-ranking club officials about the direction of the club in days past, having played 251 games without a finals win and claiming yet another bottom four finish in 2025.

That being said, the club has stood firm, communicating with the five-time Best and Fairest winner that he will don the sash in 2026 and beyond.

“We still don’t know what he’s thinking as he weighs up interest from several clubs,” Morris told 9News.

“What I can tell you tonight is that Essendon’s board sought to get ahead of the issue last night. At a scheduled board meeting, the Dons directors unanimously agreed that Merrett would not be traded under any circumstances.

“This firm directive was then relayed to his manager Tom Petroro a few hours later. It remains to be seen whether they’ll hold this hard-line stance until deadline day, but that is certainly what it is right now.”