The meeting between Zach Merrett and coach Brad Scott came a day after Stringer and Laverde met the club to discuss their futures.
Essendon captain Zach Merrett had a meeting with coach Brad Scott on Friday at which he expressed disappointment at the club’s decision not to offer contract extensions to teammates Jake Stringer and Jason Laverde beyond 2025.
The discussion involving Merrett came a day after Stringer, Laverde and their manager, Robbie D’Orazio, met Scott, list manager Matt Rosa and chief executive Craig Vozzo.However, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation who would not publicly discuss contract issues, the club held a firm line, with both players advised to seek opportunities elsewhere if they desired longer-term deals.
Two sources with knowledge of the meeting between Merrett and Scott, who asked to remain anonymous because the discussion was confidential, said their catch-up was prearranged but that Merrett voiced his disappointment at the prospect of the players being traded.It comes just days after one of Merrett’s other closest allies at the Bombers, dashing defender Nick Hind, was delisted.Scott was contacted by this masthead about the meeting and chose not to comment.
Stringer, who is at his second club after winning a premiership with the Western Bulldogs in 2016, has been chasing a three-year contract.The big-bodied forward booted 42 goals this season, matching his tally for the Bulldogs in their premiership year, the equal second-highest haul of his career.
Two club sources who wished to remain anonymous because Laverde is still contracted, confirmed to this masthead that Carlton and St Kilda had shown interest in the 28-year-old.The Blues have already made contact with out-of-contract GWS veteran defender Nick Haynes, who is likely to leave the Giants in the trade period.
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