AFL

Wantaway Essendon star Zach Merrett might have stayed at Essendon if James Hird was appointed as coach for the 2027 season, according to a report.

Read more AFL

The Bombers gun wanted to move to Hawthorn at the end of 2025, but was forced to stay at the club after Essendon rejected the Hawks trade offer.

However, Merrett is determined to get to Hawthorn this time around — but there might have been one factor to change his mind.

According to journalist Tom Morris, Merrett would have considered seeing out his contract — which expires at the end of 2027 — at the Bombers if Hird was leading the club instead of Mark McVeigh.

MORE: ‘Disgraceful, pathetic’ — Essendon fans melt after club overlooks James Hird as coach

«With Hird out of the Essendon race, Merrett will look for a way to Hawthorn again,» Morris posted on X.

«Had Hird won the job, there was a chance the 6x best and fairest would have at least seen out his contract.»

Zach Merrett played yesterday with a broken eye socket and a bulging disc in his back. With Hird out of the Essendon race, Merrett will look for a way to Hawthorn again.
Had Hird won the job, there was a chance the 6x best and fairest would have at least seen out his contract.… https://t.co/H0HxDJzPqR
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) August 23, 2026

In what was likely his final Bombers game, Merrett kicked a goal to put his team up by three points at the 30:58 minute mark of the last quarter, but two late Port Adelaide goals saw Essendon lose by 10 points and seal the wooden spoon.

MORE: ‘Disappointed’ James Hird hunted by rival AFL clubs after missing out on Essendon coaching role

Morris also revealed Merrett played through significant injury to get through his final season at the club.

«Zach Merrett played yesterday with a broken eye socket and a bulging disc in his back,» Morris also posted.

The AFL Trade Period is set to commence on Monday, October 5 with Merrett’s future set to be one of the biggest stories once again.

AFL

Comments