Hawthorn Defends Walking Away From Merrett Trade as Essendon Sought Steep Package

Overview

• Essendon asked for four first-round picks plus a second-rounder after Hawthorn offered two firsts, a future first, and Henry Hustwaite.
• Talks ran to the final hour of the trade period before collapsing, with Zach Merrett remaining at Essendon and reportedly expected to lose the captaincy.
• Hawthorn president Andy Gowers, citing football boss Rob McCartney, called the Bombers’ price "ridiculous" and said the club would not "give away the farm."
• Jason Dunstall said a deal was unlikely given the clubs’ history and that Andrew Welsh replacing David Barham as Essendon president ended any chance of agreement.
• Hawthorn is turning to the draft and preseason, highlighting Will Day’s return and broader 2026 goals, as the club relocates its John Kennedy Snr statue to its new Dingley base.