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2h ago

Essendon Blocks Merrett Move as Deadline Sends Curnow to Swans and Petracca to Suns

Essendon enforced Merrett’s contract after rejecting Hawthorn’s late bids, setting up an awkward return with leadership to be decided post‑season.

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Overview

  • Essendon refused captain Zach Merrett’s request to join Hawthorn, calling him a required player and acknowledging a potentially awkward start to pre‑season.
  • Hawthorn’s final package for Merrett featured picks 10 and 22, a 2026 first‑rounder and Henry Hustwaite after an earlier offer with a 7pm Tuesday response ultimatum that included pick 9 was rejected.
  • Charlie Curnow was traded from Carlton to Sydney, with the Swans sending Will Hayward and their next three first‑round picks, after an initial offer was knocked back earlier on deadline day.
  • Christian Petracca moved from Melbourne to Gold Coast for three first‑round picks in a multi‑pick swap, while Clayton Oliver joined GWS for a third‑round selection with the Demons to cover a significant portion of his salary.
  • Other sought‑after moves collapsed at the deadline, including Rowan Marshall to Geelong, Callum Ah Chee to Adelaide and Buku Khamis to Carlton, as several clubs held firm on price.