Overview

• Zach Merrett arrived at Essendon’s best-and-fairest count and declined to add to his Brownlow-night comments, where he apologised to supporters and acknowledged discomfort with the saga.
• Incoming president Andrew Welsh has stated the club will not entertain trading Merrett and noted he remains a contracted, required player.
• Recent reporting revealed Merrett met Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell last month, shortly after dining with Essendon coach Brad Scott.
• Addressing the function, Scott praised Merrett’s season and voiced strong personal and club support for the skipper.
• Merrett is heavily tipped to claim a sixth Crichton Medal as his situation looms as a leading storyline heading into the AFL trade period.