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Lloyd 'Disappointed' by Merrett Meeting
Essendon captain Zach Merrett is exploring trade options after the club's longest finals drought since 2004, aiming to join a premiership-winning team, sources say.
- On Tuesday night, Zach Merrett met Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell as the 29-year-old Essendon captain explores trade options, with his camp also contacting Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs.
- After a difficult 2025 campaign, Merrett is motivated primarily by a desire to play in a premiership team as he nears the later stages of his career, while Essendon Bombers finished 15th and blooded 15 debutants.
- Hawthorn's trade assets include pick No.8 this year and 2026 and 2027 first-round picks, but Essendon board of directors unanimously decided not to trade Zach Merrett.
- Brad Scott said Merrett's meeting with Mitchell was a 'surprise' and with the trade deadline on October 15, the next five weeks could prove tense if Merrett explores a move.
- Contractually, Merrett is tied to Essendon until the end of 2027, making any trade challenging as Hawthorn would need a significant package while reluctant to lose key youngsters.
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‘The gloves are off’: Scott rules out trading Merrett, takes a swipe at Hawthorn and Mitchell
Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Wednesday night, Brad Scott admitted he was blindsided by Zach Merrett’s meeting with Sam Mitchell, especially after having him over for dinner just days earlier.
·Sydney, Australia
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left5Leaning Right2Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution63% Left
Bias Distribution
- 63% of the sources lean Left
63% Left
L 63%
13%
R 25%
Factuality
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