Essendon legend James Hird has praised the club’s tough stance on Zach Merrett after the skipper’s potential trade to Hawthorn fell through, amid heated scenes late on Wednesday. Hird insists Merrett can remain captain of the Bombers despite angling for a move, but warned that Essendon has a massive task ahead to change the ‘environment’ around the AFL club.
There was a dramatic end to Wednesday night’s AFL’s trade deadline, with Sydney sealing a late deal for Carlton’s Charlie Curnow in the final minutes. Other big-name trades included star Melbourne duo Christian Petracca (Gold Coast) and Clayton Oliver (GWS), with St Kilda St Kilda captain Jack Steele set to join the Demons.
Essendon legend James Hird (R) has praised the club’s tough stance on Zach Merrett (L) after the failed trade to Hawthorn sparked heated scenes with his manager (centre). Pic: Getty
Former No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was traded by the Western Bulldogs to Gold Coast, but there were a number of other notable trades that fell through. Brisbane’s dual premiership star Callum Ah Chee’s manager was fuming after the Lions failed to do a deal with Adelaide, and insisted he would join the Crows through the pre-season draft.
While North Melbourne refused to grant Jy Simpkin a move to Collingwood, after a saga that is unlikely to see him remain captain of the Kangaroos. Essendon also kept hold of their superstar skipper Merrett after holding firm in their stance with Hawthorn that he would not be traded.
The Hawks went all-out for Merrett after offering picks No.10, No.22, a future first-round selection and young midfielder Henry Hustwaite in exchange for the Bombers skipper. It came after Merrett’s manager Tom Petroro revealed earlier on Wednesday that the star midfielder was “all in” on joining Hawthorn.
When the Bombers refused to budge, Petroro was seen on video footage in animated discussions with Hawthorn officials as it became clear there would be no deal. Speaking about the drama on Wednesday night, Bombers legend Hird said he applauded Essendon’s stance, but said the messy saga showed there were serious issues at the club that need addressing.
James Hird’s warning to Essendon over Zac Merrett saga
“For me it was strong from (Essendon president) Andrew Welsh, he said all along he was not going to trade Zach Merrett,” Hird said on Nine’s Footy Furnace. “He’s come in as the president and said ‘right-o, I’m going to draw a line in the sand (that) this club is going to be run in a certain way.”
“But what is also highlights for me… is the environment at that footy club with so many players wanting to leave over the course of this year. That’s what Andrew has to fix and get done. Yes you can talk about ‘we’re a strong club and we’re all united’ but now it’s time for actions and to put in an environment where players don’t want to leave.
“And I do feel for Zach Merrett, he’s been at that football club for 12 years, he’s won six best and fairests, he’s given his heart and soul and he doesn’t feel the environment is one where he can perform at his best and they can go all the way and win a premiership. And that’s why he looked over the fence.”
Essendon captain Zach Merrett (centre) will have some relationships to mend with Bombers teammates after the club rejected a trade move to Hawthorn. Pic: Getty
Hird admits the failed Merrett trade presents an awkward situation at the club now, after the skipper made his intentions clear about wanting to leave. He concedes relationships will need to be mended between Merrett, his teammates and coaching staff but believes the star midfielder can still lead the club next season.
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“I think he can still be captain, it’s going to take a lot of work and he’s going to have to go back to the Essendon Football Club and mend some bridges,” Hird added. “But he’s clearly the best player, and that’s not the be-all and end-all of being a captain, but he’s clearly the leader of the group. He’s got to get his players back on side and obviously he and his coach need to see eye-to-eye going forward. But I think he can, but not without a lot of work.”
with AAP