With Tassie looming large, the Giants have put forward a monster offer to their star midfielder. Plus why Zach Merrett is being tipped to request a trade again.

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GIANT $9M PLAY TO KEEP STAR WAY FROM TASSIE

The Giants have made a significant play to lock away Tom Green on a long-term deal amid Tasmania’s interest in the star midfielder, reports AFL Media’s Cal Twomey.

Green, who’s been sidelined this year due to a pre-season ACL rupture, is the Giants’ reigning best and fairest winner and seen as one of the club’s best and most valuable players.

The 25-year-old is contracted to the Giants until the end of 2027, making him eligible for free agency.

Green is seen as a prime target for Tasmania, which can sign a maximum of 18 uncontracted players – one from each of the rival 18 clubs – across a two-year window (2027 to 2028) without a trade needing to be struck. The Devils also have access to a signing bonus pool of $5 million outside of the salary cap.

But speaking on Channel 9 on Tuesday night, Twomey said the Giants had make a big move to ensure Green remains at the club.

Hird assembling ‘Essendon Dream Team’ | 08:00

“Greater Western Sydney has tabled a mega seven-year deal to retain Tom Green, who’s a superstar of their football club,” Twomey told Footy Classified. “He’s out of contract at the end of next year, so they’re trying to get in early and do this this year

“The deal is estimated to be worth around the $9 million mark. That puts him around $1.3 million a season – that’s about what Luke Davies-Uniacke signed in his seven-year deal at North Melbourne last year, Chad Warner is on about $1.35 million.

“I expect he looks at this later in the year, his first priority is getting back from that knee (injury).

“Tassie is coming for him too and they have him as one of their targets for next year as a free agent. There’s a bit to go, but the Giants want to make it done this year.”

Green, a Giants academy graduate, has played 115 games for the Giants since being selected with Pick 10 in the 2019 draft.

MERRETT’S TRADE DESIRE HAS ‘ONLY HARDENED’ … DESPITE HIRD SPECTRE

Even if James Hird was appointed Essendon’s next senior coach, star midfielder Zach Merrett would still seek a trade at season’s end, reports CODE Sports.

Merrett last week said he had a “very strong” relationship with Hird, adding the Bombers legend was “a great mentor and someone I can always confide in”.

But CODE Sports reported on Wednesday morning that Merrett’s determination to seek a trade away from the Bombers for a second straight year had “only hardened in recent weeks”, with potential Essendon finals and flag success still a long way off.

Giants claim back-to-back wins | 02:54

The report also suggested Merrett had seen how happy the likes of Christian Petracca (Gold Coast), Charlie Curnow (Sydney) and Clayton Oliver (Giants) were at their respective new footy homes after their 2025 trades.

Merrett was keen to join Hawthorn in last year’s trade period, but was ultimately held to his Essendon contract after the Bombers and Hawks failed to reach an agreement on a suitable deal.

Despite last year’s trade drama, Merrett has still had a strong 2026 campaign for Essendon, averaging 27.8 disposals and 8.0 contested possessions, as well as club-high score involvements (6.8) and tackles (5.1).

A six-time best and fairest winner and triple All-Australian, Merrett is contracted to the Bombers until the end of the 2027 season.