Trade talk: Scott comments on Geelong's mooted Merrett interest

Geelong has reached out to Essendon’s Zach Merrett, according to SEN’s Tom Morris.

It is understood that Cats coach Chris Scott sent Merrett a text to inform him that he is one of three main trade targets this year alongside Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters and GWS captain Toby Greene.

Morris suggests it’s “highly unlikely” that Merrett joins the Cats, instead expecting the 30-year-old to get to Hawthorn after last year’s deadline day failure.

“In recent days Geelong has made an unexpected play for former Essendon captain Zach Merrett,” Morris said on Channel 7’s Agenda Setters.

“This comes via their coach, Chris Scott, who I understand texted Zach Merrett directly to say that he is one of Geelong's targets at the end of the season alongside Zak Butters.

“We know that Merrett has another year remaining on his contract. It’s unclear whether Merrett would even consider the Cats. My belief is he is all chips in on the Hawks.

“But what it does do is it speaks to the Cats’ ambition that they are willing to potentially have a crack at Merrett, also Butters, and also Toby Greene.

“I think they think they have the capacity to get all three. I think they’re highly unlikely to get Merrett. They’re a chance to get Butters, and I think they’re very likely to get Toby Greene.”

Scott was asked about the situation at his weekly press conference ahead of Thursday night's clash with St Kilda.

He doesn't believe it's very interesting that his club is showing interest in Merrett.

“There is no response,” Scott told reporters when asked for his response.

“It’s kind of like our private and confidential conversations and thoughts and hypotheticals.

“I think I’ve brought it up before, and I apologise to Marcus Bontempelli, but if someone said there is a one in a million chance he might come and play with the Cats, I would explore it.

“So in that context I don’t think it is very interesting even if it is true to say, ‘Hey, apparently the Cats are considering a really good player from another team’.

“That is kind of incumbent on you as part of your job.

“I’m pushing back more and more on the ‘right to know’ private information. I just disagree with that in principle in my private life and my professional life.

“But I also respect the fact that you feel like you need to ask. We can sit here and do this for hours…”

Morris feels the Cats might as well throw their hat in the ring for a player of Merrett's ilk.

“The only indication clubs have is that he (Merrett) is open to considering a move elsewhere," he added.

“You may as well have a crack, you never know what you’re going to get.”

The Agenda Setters panellists then had their say on Scott’s text to Merrett.

Caroline Wilson: “If you are Chris Scott or any leading coach with a big reputation, then of course you’re going to text someone directly. No one is going to be upset to get that text.”

Craig Hutchison: “If that happened that’s just being professional.

“But on the other side of that, the fact it’s leaked in that detail, would you be a bit 'buyer beware' on that if you were the coach?”

Nick Riewoldt: “I think you would.”

Before Morris added: “They did work together with the Victorian team earlier in the season. They do have a relationship.

“Merrett has often been linked with Geelong in the past because of where he grew up (Cobden) and he’s got family links (there).

“I think it’s highly unlikely he ends up at the Cats.”