Overview
- Merrett, contracted until the end of 2027, met Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell this week as he weighs his future.
- Coach Brad Scott, CEO Craig Vozzo and president Dave Barham each state Merrett will not be traded, with defender Jordan Ridley also declared off-limits.
- Hawthorn president Andy Gowers defends the club’s aggressive recruiting approach and declines to apologise for discussions with rival players.
- Essendon teammates Mason Redman and Nic Martin publicly express disappointment and say trust with their captain must be rebuilt.
- The Bombers say any decision on the captaincy will follow the usual early‑2026 leadership process, with senior players’ views central.