Andy McGrath has become the latest Essendon leader to speak out on Zach Merrett’s bid to leave the embattled AFL club, airing his “disappointment, little bit of anger and sadness” hours before meeting his skipper.
Merrett’s dramatic trade play ramped up last week when it emerged he had met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell.
Bombers players led a coordinated response to keep fans onside while the topic of Jordan Ridley’s future, with the oft-injured defender eyeing off a move to Brisbane, also lingers in the background.
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Just how Merrett leaves the club remains unclear given the captain is contracted for two years and will demand a high price in a trade.
But bridges have already been burned, and if he is held by Essendon relationships will need to be mended.
McGrath will take the first step tomorrow after recently returning from an off-season trip to Canada to visit family.
He spoke with Merrett for the first time on Sunday morning, and the pair will catch up in person on Monday.
“He wanted to give me a bit of space while I was away and I really respected that,” McGrath said.
“(When we meet) we’ll talk about everything and understand a bit about the situation and what’s going on.”
7NEWS Melbourne’s Mitch Cleary believes it is “hard to see Merrett staying now”.
“When you lose the playing group, like it’s feeling like he is a bit, can you look your teammates in the eye next year?” he said on 3AW.
“I don’t think he can be captain (if he stays). Whether he can go back at all — Essendon’s public ‘we’re not trading him’ stance, they don’t want to give up any ground in a trade yet.”
The Bombers can demand two high draft picks or a star player but there is no certainty there.
“They’ve got so many picks already. In a pretty weak draft, picks in the teens just aren’t going to cut it. I don’t think Essendon will be able to sell that to their members,” Cleary said.
Securing a star player from the Hawks or a third club is not simple, though, with Cleary adding: “Convincing someone under contract to go to Essendon right now will be tough.”
All eyes for now turn to Essendon’s best and fairest awards night, where Merrett is the runaway favourite to claim his sixth title — but might not be there to accept it.
“We hope Zach attends,” McGrath said.
“I think he’s a clear favourite to win the night. He’s had a fantastic year and we have a lot to celebrate.”
Concern around Ridley’s future is arguably even more personal for McGrath.
The pair are business partners and were previously housemates.
“Rids has had a tough few years. Everyone’s heard about it and he’s been spoken about at length,” McGrath said.
“But I think he just wants to get his body right. I think he’ll be with us. I guess you guys will hold me to that.
“But I’m a firm believer that he’ll be in the red and black next year.”
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