Lyon: Why Adelaide should reopen talks with wantaway Bomber

Garry Lyon is adamant that the Adelaide Crows should look to reignite conversations with Zach Merrett ahead of the upcoming trade period.

After crashing out of yet another finals series, the Crows under Matthew Nicks remain significantly short of a finished product.

Despite claiming their first finals win since 2017 in the Elimination Final over the Western Bulldogs, Adelaide were schooled by a Brisbane Lions outfit that proved a class above, beating the Crows in a blistering knockout performance at the Gabba.

Entering September, Adelaide was riding the high of Izak Rankine’s mind-blowing form, with at least 34 disposals, seven clearances and a goal in all of his last four matches through the midfield.

However, having copped a blanketing tag from Brisbane’s Josh Dunkley, the Crows were dominated through the midfield.

As Garry Lyon identified, it’s their lack of midfield depth that ultimately cost them the season.

“They’ve got an over-reliance, clearly, on Izak Rankine and Jordan Dawson,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast.

“When they don’t click, they are in trouble. Riley Thilthorpe didn’t have the year that you would hope he would have had – he had some back issues.

“I think James Borlase can be their key back; they’re going to commit to Nick Murray. Josh Worrell… defensively, they are as good as any team in the comp.

“They don’t give up big scores too often, but then they go and play against Brisbane… the last two times they’ve played against Brisbane they’ve been absolutely split open.”

Co-host Tim Watson added: “Smashed out of the centre bounce too, as much as anywhere.”

Lyon continued: “That’s always been the issue. Rankine going in and developing into the midfielder that he has helps, but like all great teams, you’ve got to have more than two.”

The discussion prompted Watson to beg an interesting question:

Watson asked: “They can’t get Nasiah Wagnaneen-Milera for next year. You’ve mentioned Zach Merrett, who still wants out of Essendon. Would you ask the question again if you’re the Adelaide Crows?”

Lyon replied: “Yeah, 100%! Of course!”

The former Essendon skipper and six-time best and fairest winner is once again preparing an exit, with the Bombers’ stance significantly weakened since last year’s dramatic trade deadline.

After requesting to join Hawthorn following the conclusion of the 2025 AFL season, Essendon stood firm in their position on the superstar midfielder, refusing a number of significant trade offers from the Hawks in order to retain their then-skipper.

However, with a new head coach and a new approach to the list build, reports suggest that Merrett may finally have his wish granted, with his eyes still firmly set on joining Hawthorn ahead of 2027.

Before a deal is agreed upon between Hawthorn and the Bombers, Lyon believes that the Crows should absolutely take a punt on the three-time All-Australian.

“He is as close to a fail-safe in the market right now as any midfielder,” Lyon continued.

“Four or five years of Zach Merrett is going to be four or five years well spent!

“I’m sure it is (only Hawthorn), I’m just spit balling here about the Crows, who might be open to have a look at him.”

Watson said further: “If I’m Essendon, I’m saying to Zach, ‘we will help facilitate where you want to go, but don’t give us one option. We don’t want one option'.

“That’s going to be too hard. You saw what happened last year, we couldn’t get the deal done. Give us at least two options as to where you would be prepared to go.”

Merrett spoke with 9News in early September regarding his future as a Don approaching the upcoming trade period.

“There's a world (where I stay at Essendon),” he said.

“I'll work through with Spike (Mark McVeigh) what's best for us and what's best for them and then make the best decision moving forward for both parties.

“It was obviously pretty difficult winning two games, a coach getting sacked at round 12, so it was a pretty difficult and long, emotionally draining season.

“Catching up with Spike over the next couple of days to assess what's best for me, but also Essendon and what moves are next.”