Zach Merrett’s escalating conflict with Essendon has taken a darker turn, with allegations of unsavoury behaviour now surfacing.
In a dramatic development in the trade saga, it seems Essendon may have deliberately exposed Zach Merrett’s personal issues.
Veteran footy journalist Caroline Wilson revealed on Monday night that the club has been “selectively” sharing details of the problems its officials have experienced with Merrett’s conduct.
A split between the captain and the club now appears inevitable, as the saga continues to worsen day by day following reports that the 29-year-old had a meeting with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell.
Disrespect Towards AFLW Players Adds Another Twist to the Saga
Another twist unfolded on Monday night when Wilson said on Channel 7’s Agenda Setters that the club has noted acts of disrespect” Merrett has reportedly shown towards Bombers AFLW players.
This has got personal now, and I reckon it’s been personal for a while,” she said.
The reason I reckon he’ll go is in the last few weeks, the club has been selectively letting people know about little acts of selfishness. Disrespecting AFLW players. Just little things along the way.
Zach Merrett’s Conflict with Essendon Reaches a New Low Amid Explosive Allegations
On Tuesday, Code Sports reported that Merrett was “livid” and “devastated” by the allegations that he had shown disrespect toward the club’s AFLW team.
The report detailed that Merrett was completing an extra goal-kicking drill on the same side of Essendon’s indoor training facility, ‘The Hangar,’ as the women’s team at Tullamarine.
According to the report, after completing the pre-planned set of shots, Merrett moved on as instructed, following a discussion with Essendon’s AFLW head of development, Ben Brown.
Merrett “Livid” Over AFLW Disrespect Allegations
The shocking allegation comes as Wilson revealed more details about how the relationship between the club and its star player began to deteriorate earlier this year.
Wilson mentioned that the club was “filthy” in May and described it as a “red flag” for Essendon officials when Merrett met with former Essendon captains James Hird, Matthew Lloyd, Dyson Heppell, and Jobe Watson at a Melbourne café well-known for attracting paparazzi.
Despite the tension, the Bombers have increased Merrett’s salary twice over the past three seasons, and coach Brad Scott stated last week that the club expects Merrett to honour his contract through to the end of the 2027 season.
Relationship Between Merrett and Essendon Deteriorated Earlier This Year
Port Adelaide legend Kane Cornes weighed in on the latest development, suggesting that Merrett has caused “irreparable damage” to his reputation.
“I can’t believe how badly this has been managed,” Cornes said on Channel 7.
“He’s completely destroyed his reputation. He hasn’t even formally told the club, ‘I want out.’
They still haven’t heard it from him. He still hasn’t said those words. The lack of courage Zach has shown here, and the harm he’s done to his own standing — it’s something that can never be fixed.
Leading footy journalist Mitch Cleary also reported that those close to Merrett are urging him to officially announce his decision to step down as captain before the AFL Trade Period begins.
He is fully committed to this,” Cleary said.
He has gone nuclear. Zach Merrett now sees this as an all-out battle with the Essendon Football Club.
It’s been a long time coming, and this appears to be another move by him to push his way out of the Essendon Football Club.
Kane Cornes Claims Merrett Has Damaged His Own Reputation
Football journalist Tom Morris revealed last week that those close to Merrett believe it’s unlikely he will attend the club’s best and fairest night on October 2.
This would be especially embarrassing for the Bombers, as Merrett is the strong favourite to claim the club champion award.
He has already won the Crichton Medal five times.
The latest reported leaks come after the Bombers ramped up their public relations efforts last week.
Merrett Pressured to Step Down as Captain Before Trade Period
After Scott broke his silence on the controversy during an appearance on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Wednesday, Essendon players Mason Redman and Nic Martin also spoke to reporters, expressing their disappointment in their captain.
Redman and Martin are members of Essendon’s leadership group, which includes Kyle Langford, vice-captain Andrew McGrath, and captain Merrett.
Interestingly, the Bombers’ official Twitter account shared both the Redman interview (conducted by the league’s media arm) and the Martin interview (conducted by The Age), suggesting a coordinated media strategy.
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