Zach Merrett to push ahead with Hawthorn trade plan as Essendon divide ‘turned nasty’ this week

Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd said it was clear Merrett and the Bombers had to now part ways after things “turned nasty with his club” in recent days.

In particular, teammates Mason Redman and Nic Martin have both expressed “disappointment” that Merrett had met Hawthorn this week which had only increased the divide between the club and its brilliant captain.

Lloyd said there was now no going back for the five-time best-and-fairest winner.

“I just think for both parties now would be best if he wasn’t playing for the Essendon Football Club next year,” Lloyd said on 3AW.

“My view is he has certainly made a call.

“For every time he’s contemplated it, this is now he’s gone all-in.

“There is no easy way to break-up in life … it always turns ugly.

“He’s captain of the footy club and he has decided this is not where I want to be anymore.”

Merrett, 29, is set to win his sixth best-and-fairest on October 2, but the 251-gamer has lost faith in the club’s direction after a meeting with club officials at season’s end about the list and on-field vision.

Merrett’s manager, Tom Petroro from TGI, will continue talks with both clubs ahead of the exchange period after recently admitting how much Merrett craved team success after 12 seasons for zero finals wins.

It comes as President David Barham said the club would keep Merrett and defender Jordan Ridley at Tullamarine against their wishes in 2026, but both players are determined to make fresh starts next season despite the board’s position.

Lloyd said Merrett had decided his time was up after mounting frustrations with his club’s on-field slide.

Lloyd said it was clear Merrett’s faith in the club’s on-field trajectory had diminished.

“He’s going ‘I’ve done that (maintained belief) for years’,” Lloyd said.

“‘Nothing has changed. I’ve now lost (Sam) Draper, we’re probably losing (Jordan) Ridley if they let him go’.

“‘I want to win some finals. It’s not going to happen so I am out’.”

Trade negotiations will be difficult as Essendon already has picks four, five, and potentially six, pending the final compensation for Draper’s departure as a free agent.

Hawthorn could give the Bombers pick eight (from Carlton) for Merrett which could be used to secure one of this year’s big draft bolsters, 192cm ballwinner Sullivan Robey.

The powerful big-bodied midfielder would be an ideal addition to the Bombers’ smaller onball set up after a brilliant finish to the Coates League season for Eastern Ranges.

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Against Western Jets Robey had 40 disposals and three goals to catapult into top-10 draft calculations.

Ridley wants to join Brisbane Lions after the Herald Sun this week revealed he had met with Lions’ officials about beefing up the reigning premier’s back line for next season.

Hawthorn will take on Geelong in Friday night’s preliminary final after toppling Adelaide Crows in the semi-final on Friday night.