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“I didn’t like that”: Essendon CEO on Hawthorn’s Merrett meeting
Andrew Slevison • September 11th, 2025 10:11 am
Essendon CEO Craig Vozzo insists the club has taken a strong stance with captain Zach Merrett.
The star Bombers midfielder has been the talk of the town this week after it emerged that he had spoken with Hawthorn despite having two years to run on his current contract.
Asked on SEN Breakfast if there is any circumstance at all where Merrett is traded by the Bombers, Vozzo remained defiant.
“No,” he said.
“As Brad mentioned last night, the board’s position and of course with contracts of this nature, is a really important one to socialise through footy governance and board.
“The strong position of our club is that Zach is contracted for the next two years, he’s a really important and critical part of where we’re heading and he’ll be at our club.”
Vozzo was quizzed on Hawthorn’s direct nature and Sam Mitchell’s desire to again hold talks with a rival club’s captain.
The meeting came after Mitchell spoke with West Coast’s Oscar Allen earlier in the season.
“I know ‘Mitch’ well having worked with him (at West Coast). It doesn’t surprise me,” he said of the Hawks coach.
“But two club captains this year is an interesting one, one with a two-year contract.
“Yeah, I didn’t like that. But anyway, that’s life.”
The Dons have made it clear to Merrett that he will not be traded under any circumstance.
“Yeah, that message has already been conveyed to him,” Vozzo said.
“Obviously we remain in constant dialogue with his manager, Tom Petroro, as well as Zach. So, Brad has spoken to him daily and we’ve maintained that position from day one.”
So, what does Essendon do next to repair the relationship?
Vozzo says this is not the first instance of a player wanting out of a footy club and steps will be put in place to rebuild.
“Zach is a highly driven guy so we need to respect the fact that it’s been a long season for him,” he continued.
“He is in his own mind has spoken to us around where he is at in his career. He’s excited with the young talent we’ve got on our list. Is it going to coincide with where he wants to head? We understand and respect that.
“The first point is respect for the other person’s opinion. Then there’s rebuilding relationships. It’s not the first time this type of thing has happened at a football club. We saw it last year with Christian Petracca.
“But people move forward. They have to respect people’s opinion, respect the wider position of the club and get on with life.”
