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Gisborne: Planned outages Tue-Wed“I am convinced”: Watson’s big call on Merrett future
SEN • October 14th, 2025 9:23 am
Essendon great Tim Watson is adamant that Zach Merrett will not be leaving the club.
The Bombers captain has seemingly been open to moving on despite being contracted until the end of 2027.
Links to Hawthorn have been strong but Merrett hasn’t formally requested a trade. The Dons have also been very strong in their stance that he will not be traded.
According to former club captain Watson, the 30-year-old six-time Crichton Medallist will remain in red and black.
“I believe that there was a lot of brinksmanship going on regarding Zach Merrett and Essendon’s stance,” Watson said on SEN Breakfast.
“I don’t believe that any more. I believe that they will not do a deal with anybody and Zach Merrett will remain an Essendon player.
“I am convinced that is the case and that is exactly what will happen. There’s a conditioning process that’s probably been undertaken to this point.
“Hawthorn haven’t been able to pony up, they haven’t come forward with anything that’s going to turn Essendon’s head in any way. But even if they did I don’t believe they’d actually do the deal now anyway.”
Sam Edmund reported very similarly after Merrett met with Essendon officials at the club on Monday.
“Last night I heard it’s a long, long, long shot,” Edmund said on AFL Trade Radio. “I was told yesterday there might be some movement.
“But he had talks at The Hangar yesterday with a range of Essendon officials. I cannot for the life of me get any context to that meeting and what was said.
“We’ve got two days left (of the trade period). It’s always been unlikely but I think it’s really unlikely now.
“There’s been no Hawthorn offer, no indication about what they’re prepared to give.”
