With growing speculation that a number of senior Essendon players could seek trades at the end of the season, Matthew Lloyd believes the club should move on from the lot of them.
Last year, Zach Merrett requested a trade to Hawthorn and Jordan Ridley to Brisbane. Both were denied moves, but both seem likely to push their way out once again.
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Midfielder Darcy Parish also explored the trade space last year, but couldn’t find a taker.
Nine reporter Sam McClure has revealed Parish did not attend their last two games while missing with injury, though apparently that is not a new behaviour.
However, McClure is reporting that there is a “level of discontent” between senior Essendon players and the club, following the sacking of coach Brad Scott.
The Dons have won just one game in over 12 months at this point.
Lloyd, despite backing the club’s call to keep Merrett and Ridley last year, now believes it’s time for a clean out of anyone who no longer wants to be at Tullamarine.
“I think the club did the right thing last year saying ‘no we’re going to keep them’, but once they come around the second time, it’s like the Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca one at Melbourne, you are so much better without these guys in your football club,” Lloyd told Nine’s Footy Classified.
“Whoever becomes the new coach, they need to be really aggressive and be strong.
“Anybody who is getting around the club who doesn’t want to be there, yes the club has to fix itself and get itself right and these players are probably entitled to be disgruntled with what’s going on, but once the new coach comes in, there’s going to be a lot of change of staff, anybody who doesn’t want to be there, move them on.
“Get them out of there, that’s my opinion.”