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Essendon have rejected Hawthorn's opening offer for star midfielder Zach Merrett, with the Bombers seeking more draft capital before agreeing to his departure. The renewed bid coincides with Merrett's chances of winning a seventh Crichton Medal at Thursday night's ceremony.
Hawthorn’s opening offer to prise Zach Merrett away from Essendon has been rebuffed by the Bombers. The resumption of hostilities over Merrett between the bitter rivals coincides with Essendon’s Crichton Medal dinner, where the star midfielder is the favourite to claim a remarkable seventh club best and fairest on Thursday night.
Hawthorn have offered picks 15 and 25 in this year’s draft, along with a future selection – either a second- or a third-round pick – in a package for the onballer who turns 31 on Saturday. The Bombers have indicated the offer is not enough to convince them to release their ex-skipper, according to multiple industry sources not willing to publicly discuss trade talks.
The initial deadlock sets the scene for another potentially explosive negotiation between two clubs withA year ago, the same two clubs went to the brink over Merrett. The Hawks made a massive late play for the three-time All-Australian at the end of last year’s trade period – an offer of picks 10, 22 a future first-round pick and midfielder Henry Hustwaite – but the Bombers refused to blink and Merrett remained at Essendon.
Twelve months on, Merrett still wants to get to Hawthorn, and the Hawks still want him. Essendon still want a significant price to let him go. Zach Merrett remains on Hawthorn’s radar. This offer is Hawthorn’s first attempt to unlock a Merrett deal this year, but the Bombers are expected to push for greater draft capital before agreeing to release one of the most decorated players in the club’s modern history.
Merrett is expected to attend Thursday night’s Crichton Medal ceremony, having won the award in 2016, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Even after trying to leave the Bombers last year he toiled hard during 2026 while often playing out of position in a team that finished last on the ladder. Should he be judged as Essendon’s best player, it would further underline his standing at the club even as Hawthorn attempt to negotiate his exit.
Last year’s talks dominated the trade period, with Hawthorn ultimately unable to satisfy Essendon despite putting a substantial package on the table. Merrett subsequently relinquished the captaincy and returned for another season, but Hawthorn did not give up the chase. There is still plenty of time for both clubs to move, and Hawthorn’s opening offer provides the framework for negotiations to continue.
But Hawthorn want to make it happen early in the trade period, given they have another major priority in luring restricted free agent Ben King from Gold Coast. While the Suns could accept compensation, there is still a chance they will match Hawthorn’s offer and force a trade. If that happens, Hawthorn will have two tricky trades on their hand heading into trade period, which officially opens on Monday.
Zach Merrett Hawthorn Essendon AFL Trade Crichton Medal
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