Will Merrett stay a Bomber? Captain weighs in to trade noise

Essendon captain Andy McGrath has lifted the lid on the toll this season has taken on him personally as the club looks to drag itself out of what has been a torrid 18 months.

Last weekend’s thrilling three-point victory over the Giants was just the second win in 31 games for the Bombers, and it sparked delirium at Marvel Stadium marking the first time some of the club’s younger players had taken part in a team song.

The result was also the club’s first win under caretaker coach Dean Solomon who replaced Brad Scott 10 rounds ago.

While sharing in his club’s delight and heaping praise on the playing group, McGrath admits the 2026 season has been rough.

"It’s been an exciting few days," McGrath told SEN Breakfast. "When you go a period of time without the result you want each week, it can be an arduous process to keep working hard. So to get some reward, it was great to have that win.

"A few of the younger boys were overly excited and did a lap of honour to finish which was unique.

“To see the joy on their faces is unmatched. Having been around long and to know how hard it is to win, was a beautiful moment for the club.

“(But) it’s been a challenge. A lot of people said when I took over, that it’s an honour to be captain but it comes with great highs and great lows. When your team is struggling you do feel that.

“All I want is them to be happy and play good football and this year it’s been hard to find that. You soak things up like last weekend for a few hours, but the win subsides.

“It’s been a tough year personally. We have felt the hurt and the pain of the team and our fans.

"It’s been a hard period for Essendon people, and we want to bring joy back to our fans and hopefully the weekend was the start of what is to come.

"I have great faith in the boys and their desire to be great. I can see the optimism and that makes me excited.”

Things get no easier for the team this weekend when they come up against Hawthorn, and McGrath insists they won’t be resting on the laurels of what they did against the Giants.

“We have shown we can compete against clubs like the Giants we feel like we know what the recipe is looking like,” he continued. “We’re going into Saturday with full belief we can take a scalp.

“We know we can’t just roll in and perform the exact same way. We have to go back to the well and bring the intent and energy to the Hawks.”

Two major news stories continue to hang over Essendon; who will be their coach moving forward and will Zach Merrett be in red and black next season?

Last October the former captain dominated the trade period with a switch to Hawthorn on the cards but the deal fell over at the 11th hour.

It sparked outcry from the Essendon faithful and prompted Merrett to relinquish the armband.

“All the leaders have been consulted about thoughts on what we feel the group needs,” McGrath said on the coaching vacancy. “It’s more about the characteristics of the players, the high level decisions we leave to the board. We have to trust the process.

“Uncertainty can cause stress, but I think all the boys have bought into what we’re doing. We will find out when we need to know.”

As for Merrett he added: “I think if you look at him and how he operates you would have no idea of the speculation around him he is the ultimate professional.

“Whatever he decides to do, it’s his jurisdiction and his choice but we love him in the red and black. No matter how long that is for we know he will be a great contributor."