Cornes: Merrett's B&F speech a "whole lot of nonsense"

Kane Cornes believes Zach Merrett may have done permanent damage to his reputation after delivering a "whole lot of nonsense" speech after winning a sixth Crichton Medal at the Essendon best and fairest.

The Bombers star moved into third place for all-time Dons B&F winners and now sits behind Dick Reynolds and Bill Hutchison who both won seven.

After accepting the award he addressed his future after recently meeting with Hawthorn despite being contracted until the end of 2027.

“The dialogue between myself and the club’s leaders has been extremely open and very clear both ways throughout the last few weeks,” said Merrett.

“I want to thank Andrew Welsh for his support recently and want to congratulate him on his presidency. I know he will lead this club with integrity and strong values.

“The past few weeks have certainly been difficult for me, my family and many people in and around the Essendon Football Club. I respect the club’s position regarding their desire to retain me and fully understand what it means to be a contracted player and captain.

“I acknowledge that there are complexities and uncertainty right now and regardless of the external noise and pressure, I’m willing and committed to continue working with the club - and will, with the help of those closest to me, work through those factors at play.

“I don’t have control over what others say or do but from my perspective I will always show care and consideration for the fans, my teammates, coaches and the club even if we disagree on some things.

“That’s my commitment and it will not waver.

“What I can say categorically is my approach to football has always been the same. That is to stay ultra professional, gather the right information from people I trust and make the best possible decisions for my career and family.

“No club should be defined by one person and Essendon is no different. It’s the sum of all parts that makes a club what it is.”

Merrett polled 217 votes to comfortably beat 19-year-old Archie Roberts (186) with Sam Durham (175) in third.

Vice-captain Andrew McGrath (171) and Nic Martin (1126) rounded out the top five.

Merrett also won the player-voted McCracken Medal as the Bomber who best embodies the club’s values.

Dissecting the speech on AFL Trade Radio, Cornes said: "Well done to him for going, it would have been drastic decision to make (not to go), but it’s a whole lot of nonsense really his speech.

"I’m sure his management would have sat down and written that for hm. But when he speaks about no individual being bigger than the club, he’s doing this for himself. He’s gone completely against what he’s saying.

"They’re just words. He doesn’t fully believe that no one is bigger than the club, the decisions he has made in the last few weeks are what is best for him not the club.

"It's disappointing, he has damaged his reputation and it will be hard to repair it regardless of what happens in the next fortnight."

Other award winners on the night included Roberts who was named Most Improved Player and the Lindsay Griffiths Rising Star, while Durham was named the Adam Ramanauskas Most Courageous Player and McGrath who was named the Bruce Heymanson Best Clubman.

Crichton Medal - 2025

1 - Zach Merrett (217 votes)
2 - Archie Roberts (186)
3 - Sam Durham (175)
4 - Andrew McGrath (171)
5 - Nic Martin (116)
6 - Mason Redman (114)
7 - Xavier Duursma (111)
8 - Jye Caldwell (101)
9 - Jaxon Prior (95)
10 - Peter Wright (91)

Other awards

Most Improved Player: Archie Roberts
Lindsay Griffiths Rising Star: Archie Roberts
Adam Ramanauskas Most Courageous Player: Sam Durham
Matthew Lloyd Leading Goalkicker: Peter Wright
Bruce Heymanson Best Clubman: Andrew McGrath
John Kilby Staff and Trainers Award: Andrew McGrath
McCracken Medal: Zach Merrett