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Sport Nation
Merrett remains a Bomber: Behind Hawthorn's failed deal
SEN • October 15th, 2025 10:14 pm
After an almighty back-and-forth, Zach Merrett will remain a Bomber in 2026, with Essendon and Hawthorn failing to agree to a deadline deal.
The Essendon captain showed initial interest in leaving the club following a disappointing 2025 season, with eyes on September success sooner rather than later.
After meeting with Hawthorn head coach Sam Mitchell amid the AFL finals, the rumours of a desired exit ramped up rather quickly, as the Hawks commenced a heavy pursuit for the star midfielder.
Essendon remained resolute in their stance that the club captain and six-time Crichton Medallist would not be traded, hardly issuing a response to Hawthorn's first trade offer made up of Pick 9, a 2026 first-round pick, a future second-round pick and Henry Hustwaite.
Hawks list boss Mark McKenzie provided some insight into how his club was unable to land the big fish.
“There was some great dialogue over the last couple of days but you’ve have to ask Essendon that,” McKenzie told AFL Trade Radio.
“We put our best foot forward with a deal that we thought was a very strong and reasonable deal, and unfortunately it didn’t get done.
“We went into the trade period with the priority to get a player like Zach, to not have it happen you’re disappointed.
“But then again we’ve made some moves today to make sure we’re in a healthy position that if it didn’t happen overall that we’ve got two first-round picks, a top-10 pick and another first-round pick.
“We’re disappointed to not get that done.”
Did the club ever consider handing over four first-round picks?
“I think the details of the actual last offer, I don’t know if they’re out at the moment,” he added.
“We think that our offer at the end was very strong and a very reasonable offer. Our deal was very strong.
“In the end you’ve got to respect their position that he’s a contracted player and it didn’t get done.”
McKenzie did not provide details of the exact offer but did suggest it would come out in due course.
Earlier on deadline day, Merrett’s manager, Tom Petroro, made it vehemently clear that the Essendon captain wanted to join Hawthorn.
“Zach really wants to be a Hawthorn footballer, he’s all in on this,” Petroro told AFL Trade Radio.
“It’s been difficult five or six-week period. His instruction to me is to try and get him to Hawthorn this afternoon.
“He’s motivated to get to Hawthorn. He’s in a position where he feels like he’s given his all to the Essendon Football Club over the last 12 years.
“He’s never wavered, he’s bought it all out, but he needs a fresh start. He wants to chase success at Hawthorn.”
Following a number of minor trades, building assets to shift Essendon's way, Hawthorn came back with a refined final offer, consisting of Pick 10, Pick 22, a 2026 first-round pick and Henry Hustwaite in exchange for Zach Merrett and a 2027 third-round pick.
Their final throw at the stumps fell through, with Essendon demanding a minimum of four first rounders in order to give up their superstar captain.
