Bombers lay down law over want-away stars
Anna Harrington |
Contracted Essendon captain Zach Merrett is not for trade, says president Dave Barham, with the embattled AFL club determined to avoid losing more stars.
The Bombers president is also adamant the club won’t let injury-prone defender Jordan Ridley leave, following Sam Draper’s exit via free agency.
The Bombers were rocked when news broke this week that Merrett, who is contracted until the end of 2027, had met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell.
There have also been reports Merrett could choose not to attend Essendon’s best-and-fairest awards as he agitates for a move.
That would put the Bombers in an awkward position given Merrett is the red-hot favourite to claim the Crichton Medal.
“Let me be clear. Zach Merrett is contracted to our football club and our position is clear, he is not for trade,” Barham said in a letter to members.
“Zach has been an outstanding player for Essendon over a long period and will go down in history as one of our best ever players. We are committed to him, and we expect his commitment to our club to continue.
“This club, with its proud 153-year history, is bigger than any single player, coach or administrator.
“While champions have come and gone, the club has always endured and that will continue for the next 153 years. No one is bigger than the club.”
Merrett has played 251 games for Essendon without winning a final.
Coach Brad Scott and CEO Craig Vozzo have also made it clear Merrett won’t be traded, while senior players Mason Redman and Nic Martin expressed their disappointment in respective media interviews.
Whether Merrett would be able to retain the captaincy next year is clearly in doubt.
Talented key defender Ridley is contracted until the end of 2029. Ridley, who has had a torrid run with soft-tissue injuries, has been linked to a move to Brisbane as he attempts to get his body right.
The Bombers’ 2025 season was ruined by injuries, with ACL tears to Nic Martin, Nick Bryan, Lewis Hayes and Tom Edwards, while Draper ruptured his achilles and Ben McKay had a foot injury.
Zach Reid, Ridley, Darcy Parish, Jye Caldwell and Kyle Langford were among those with soft-tissue setbacks.
“Jordan Ridley is contracted and is not for trade,” Barham said.
“We acknowledge his frustration in recent years with his body – we share these frustrations.
“We’ve now made fundamental changes to our high performance and medical team as we strive to provide our players with a world-class high-performance program and team, led by Mathew Inness.”
Inness has joined the Bombers from West Coast.
AAP
