Zach Merrett has informed his Essendon teammates and the football club that he will stand aside and relinquish captaincy in 2026.
It was expected that Merrett would hand over the reins following his failed attempt to trade to Hawthorn.
He stands down after three years in the role, taking over from Dyson Heppell at the end of 2022.
“It’s been an absolute honour to be the 41st captain of the Essendon Football Club,” Merrett said.
“It’s an honour that was a childhood dream of mine running around the backyard in Cobden, and it’s certainly been an opportunity that myself and my family are very proud of.
“If you told younger me I would get to captain this club for three years, I would have pinched myself. It’s been something I’ve really enjoyed and loved doing. I’ve really enjoyed being captain to lead so many great current and past players.
Zach Merrett has today informed his teammates and the football club that he will step down as Captain ahead of the 2026 AFL Season. pic.twitter.com/9hROa26tpr
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) November 25, 2025
“It’s been weighing on my mind around who is the best person to lead this Club and group moving forward, and I feel like I’ve come to the decision that I’m not the right person. There’s so much optimism, excitement and energy at the club, internally and externally, with the fans, changes with the High Performance Team, our new draftees, top-end talent.
“It feels like so much excitement and optimism and newness, and being such a young group, it is a great chance for a young leader to come in and grow with all the group moving forward.
“Thank you to the club, and to Scotty for giving me the opportunity to captain the club.
“We’ll continue to leave no stone unturned to make sure we play in that last Saturday in September.”
President Andrew Welsh acknowledged the work of Merrett during a “vital period of cultural growth” for the club.
“Zach and I have had many long discussions recently and he is absolutely all-in on our vision and can clearly see the direction we’re heading,” Welsh said.
“He knows what we are building, and this decision supports that long-term goal with a focus on allowing the next wave of leaders to take control of this club.
“While he steps away from the captaincy, his influence on this playing group will not diminish. He remains a critical leader for us, and we know he will be integral to leading the next phase of our journey on-field.
“This decision is an example of a selfless leader prioritising the best interests of the club moving forward.”
During the 2025 trade period, the Hawks came hard for the six-time Crichton Medallist, offering up Henry Hustwaite and three first-round picks, but Essendon rejected the offer.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 23: Henry Hustwaite of the Hawks in action during the AFL 2024 Match Simulation between the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn at Whitten Oval on February 23, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
But the Bombers refused to entertain the idea for their skipper, reportedly wanting four first-rounders across the next three AFL Drafts, as well as a 2026 second-round pick.
Essendon has a host of leaders it could look to for next year, namely vice-captain Andrew McGrath and Mason Redman.
Sam Durham and Archie Roberts are captains in waiting, but may be given more time to develop their skills before being thrown into the role.
The decision comes at a time where the club is setting itself on a new path, headed by Andrew Welsh’s nod as the new president, succeeding David Barham.
Essendon also invested heavily into its high-performance program, luring many respected figures, including former Eagles mentor Mat Inness.
They also focused intently on the 2025 draft, which secured three top-10 picks in the form of Sullivan Robey, Jacob Farrow and Dyson Sharp.
Ironically, the trio’s profiles were “pitched” by Merrett to list manager Matt Rosa ahead of the national draft.
The veteran requested “two big-bodied mids and a nice kick off the half back, which resulted in the first (13) picks”.