Hinkley: Why Essendon “absolutely” should’ve traded Merrett

Zach Merrett's deadline day drama has once again risen to the forefront, with Essendon set to face Hawthorn for the first time since the off-season's most frequent headline.

Merrett, a six-time club best and fairest and Bombers legend, was determined to make his way to the Hawks, with his demand made public before falling short in the final seconds of the cut-off.

The former Bombers’ captain revisited his experience from a frantic deadline day leading into Essendon's clash with the Hawks in Round 1.

Looking back on the failed trade, former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley believes that Essendon were foolish not to accept the Hawks' final offer.

“100 per cent they didn’t (make the right call),” he said.

“That’s my view. My view is that they didn’t, because I think they are in a mode of ‘rebuild’.

“I absolutely would have went for the draft picks. I know what I would have done as a coach. I would have went for the draft picks for that reason.

“Having had some conversations around Essendon at different times in the off-season, I’m being a bit cautious. But the reality is, if you understand where you’re at as a club, you have to make decisions for that very reason, not for any other reason.

“Everyone knew – Essendon supporters knew where they were at. If the fans knew where they were at, surely (the club should have made the deal).

“I get it, Andrew (Welsh) and Brad (Scott) and the people at Essendon were trying to protect their club. In protecting their club, in the long run, it might hurt your club.”

Hawthorn's final offer to the Bombers consisted of picks 10, 22, a 2026 first-round selection, and midfielder Henry Hustwaite. Essendon declined.

The two sides face off on Friday night at the MCG.