Essendon captain Zach Merrett has had a turbulent two months, but has immersed himself back into the Tullamarine club alongside the three top draft picks that he “pitched” to list manager Matt Rosa.
The Bombers, through shrewd trading and management, scored a trifecta of high-end selections in the 2025 draft, which they used on Sullivan Robey, Jacob Farrow and Dyson Sharp.
The trio help bolster the midfield through explosive on-ballers (Robey and Sharp), while Farrow will slot nicely across halfback as an excellent distributor by foot, as well as his dare and dash.
Merrett, speaking to club media on his official start of the pre-season, said he floated the idea to Rosa of the need for those three draft prospects, which would, in all, ease the pressure off his own plate.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 19: Jacob Farrow, Sullivan Robey and Dyson Sharp pose after being selected by the Bombers as part of the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft at Marvel Stadium on November 19, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)
The six-time Crichton Medallist has been shouldering the load of the midfield for the better part of the decade, whilst he was thrown behind the ball to help provide pinpoint kicking and bounce from defence.
“It was funny watching the draft,” Merrett said.
“I spoke with Matt Rosa on the Monday, and he was asking what I’d love to see. I pitched two big-bodied mids and a nice kick off the half back, which resulted in the first (13) picks.
“(I’m) very stoked, I mean, that brings a huge amount of energy and excitement for all of us internally.
“Seeing those three kids, but also the other two last night. Seeing Huss (El Achkar) being in the Academy as well, so I watched him develop over the last few years, I think he’s going to be very exciting down there with (Isaac) Kako.”
Much was made of Merrett’s attempt to join Hawthorn during the trade period, but ultimately, despite the arch rival’s best advances, he was denied.
In the wake of the decision, the Bombers have begun a major overhaul, with Andrew Welsh taking over the presidency and completely changing the high-performance staff led by Mat Inness, which some would say is necessary following an unprecedented number of injuries in 2025.
The classy left-footer admitted that the past six weeks have made everything “a little bit different”, but he was in awe of the support from the top down.
“It’s been a little bit different, obviously, after the last six weeks, but it’s really nice to get back. The boys have been incredible,” he said.
“There were some tough days, no doubt, throughout that period of time, personally, but family-wise as well.
“But footy’s an amazing game, and it brings people together, and I feel really loved and valued when I walk back into the building.
“Even through the whole period, to be honest, the players were incredible through messages and phone calls and catch-ups for coffee, and the staff included in that.
“Andrew Welsh, I think, has brought a huge amount of unity across the board from top down, so there’s no doubt as a Club, we’re coming together.”
He even singled out Dean Solomon, who stood down from the board after 12 months to join Brad Scott’s coaching panel as the defensive line man.
“Dean Solomon’s been amazing as well since coming across in the last few weeks, coming off the Board and into the playing group (as our backline coach),” Merrett said.
“He’s a very good connector and relationships guy, so I’m loving having a fellow No.7 back around the oval and on the track, and he had some really positive vibes.”
Under Scott, the Bombers are trialling a new game style, built around excitement and speed, which is where the modern game is heading.
In 2025, Essendon ranked 16th for points for, narrowly pipping Richmond and West Coast.
“I think we want to play a bit more of an exciting brand,” Merrett added.
“I think fans want to see us take the game on and play a bit more chaotically and a bit more attacking to try and score more, and off the back of that, hopefully defend a bit better as well.
“We’re certainly training with intensity like I’ve never seen before, so that hopefully can translate into games and use our assets on the field to be really exciting for fans to watch.”