There are fresh rumblings around Zach Merrett\u2019s future at Tullamarine amid a report stating \u201ca high degree of disillusionment\u201d. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a trio of clubs are thought to be circling a Richmond defender. <\/p>\n
Stay up to date with the latest player movement developments in AFL Trade Whispers!<\/p>\n
Watch every match of the 2025 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n \ufeff\u2018RENEWED INTEREST\u2019 IN DONS SKIPPER<\/p>\n Clubs are once again \u201cclosely monitoring\u201d<\/a> Zach Merrett\u2019s situation following another empty Essendon season in which it managed only six wins amid injury decimation. <\/p>\n According to the Herald Sun\u2019s Jay Clark, there is \u201crenewed interest\u201d in the Bombers\u2019 skipper \u2014 who is contracted through the 2027 season \u2014 with the club recently meeting with its star midfielder to discuss its long-term plans. <\/p>\n Nine\u2019s Damian Barrett later on Monday night reported there was \u201ca high degree of disillusionment\u201d from Merrett. <\/p>\n \u201cThe years of not winning, and the years of problems at the Essendon Football Club have left him in the situation, now, where he is continuing to reflect where he\u2019s at, and where the club is at,\u201d Barrett told Nine\u2019s Footy Classified<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cI now fully expect, on what I\u2019ve been told in the last fortnight, that the clubs that have previously come for Zach Merrett will attempt to do so again, and that there will be a lot to play out between now and the close of the trade deadline in mid-October.\u201d<\/p>\n It was reported at roughly this time last year that St Kilda had lobbed a \u2018godfather\u2019 offer Merrett\u2019s way<\/a>, before the notion of a potential move was shut down by all parties. <\/p>\n On Monday night, the Saints, alongside Hawthorn and Collingwood, were the clubs \u201clinked\u201d to a play for the 251-gamer, per the Herald Sun report<\/a>. <\/p>\n St Kilda is in the hunt for numerous rival names this October, including Jack Silvagni, Leek Aleer, Liam Ryan and Sam Flanders, having already informally secured Tom De Koning. <\/p>\n The Hawks are set to be flush with cash and will soon look to splash it on a big-name player<\/a>, having also been linked to contracted Demons star Christian Petracca. <\/p>\n The revelation comes just a day after it was reported that Jordan Ridley told the Dons he wanted to explore a trade to the Brisbane Lions<\/a>. <\/p>\n Meanwhile, teammate Sam Draper is expected to depart the Hangar for one of Brisbane and Adelaide, with the Lions again thought to be favoured. <\/p>\n GWS lead the way in ‘Top 8 Prem Window’ | 01:45<\/p>\n THREE CLUBS \u2018CHASING\u2019 TIGER<\/p>\n A trio of clubs are said to be in the \u201cchase\u201d for Richmond defender Tylar Young. <\/p>\n