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Trade talk: Cats coach makes “unexpected play” for Bombers star
SEN • July 14th, 2026 12:06 pm
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.”
Morris added: “The only indication clubs have is that he (Merrett) is open to considering a move elsewhere.
“You may as well have a crack, you never know what you’re going to get.”
The Agenda Setters panellists 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.”
