Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Olympics
Football
Netball
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Full Noise by SN
Go for Butters: Why Hawks never needed Merrett
SEN • March 16th, 2026 10:07 am
It was the story that dominated the 2025 trade period and has not let up ever since.
Zach Merrett's trade request, Hawthorn's pursuit and the ultimate refusal from the Bombers to get the deal over the line.
The subsequent captaincy replacement, public shows or remorse and then a Round 1 blockbuster as both sides clashed at the MCG.
It was a script better suited to a Netflix series than the AFL, but this was the off-season for Merrett, the Bombers and the Hawks.
According to Kane Cornes, based on what he saw in Hawthorn's 62-point victory over Essendon on Friday night, Sam Mitchell and his coaching team should be breathing a sigh of relief that the deal fel over.
"When you look at how that game unfolded there and the way he wants to play – that is more outside contributor than inside ball winning beast - did Hawthron need him or were they better off saving the picks and the cash?
"Three picks and a million bcks; invest in McKenzie and Ward who are of a similar size to Merrett.
"In the end I think it’s going to be a net benefit for Hawthorn they couldn’t get the deal done.
"Invest in the 22-year-olds you have drafted with high picks. Give them the minutes.
"I’m not sure Merrett’s outside hand ball receiving is going to help Hawthorn where they need it most."
Challenged by David King that Hawthron are a midfielder short, Cornes added: "It depends what midfielder you’re talking about.
"They have a lot of weapons on the outside. Merrett looks like he wants to avoid contact at the moment.
"Ward and McKenzie aren’t the players Merrett is but I’d rather they give them a crack.
"Invest in what you have got and then go for Zak Butters or go for tough and powerful midfielder which is where you really need the support. It’s not on the outside they need it."
On the topic of Essendon and what the future holds, King took aim at the club's leadership.
When Merrett handed back the captaincy after the failed exit bid, Andrew McGrath was named as his successor.
While his career as skipper is only a game old, King wants to see a big change.
"I’m watching to see when it will change," he said. "Nothing has changed defensively. That was as poor a performance as you will see. They attack like no one else and defend like they don’t care. It’s getting hard for fans to watch.
"So many words and meaningless conversations. Merrett out as captain, McGrath in. You have to play like a captain.
"One of the worst things you can do is not have your captain play in the right manner. I will give him time, this was game one but you have got to be better than that."
