The latest on Zach Merrett ahead of what\u2019s set to be first public appearance at the Brownlow Medal. <\/p>\n
Plus a Swan is set to request a trade to Collingwood.<\/p>\n
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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 MERRETT LATEST AHEAD OF BROWNLOW \u2018AWKWARDNESS\u2019<\/p>\n Bombers skipper Zach Merrett is expected to attend next week\u2019s Brownlow Medal despite ongoing tension with the club as he seeks a trade. <\/p>\n The saga has turned ugly, with Essendon teammates expressing disappointment with Merrett\u2019s meeting with Hawthorn.<\/p>\n There\u2019s uncertainty on if the star midfielder will turn up to the Bombers\u2019 best and fairest next month, when he\u2019s likely to win a sixth Crichton Medal, plus a \u201cshattered\u201d Merrett defended himself against claims of disrespect towards Essendon AFLW players<\/a>.<\/p>\n Despite the drama that\u2019s unfolded across the past week, Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph revealed Merrett is currently slated to attend the Brownlow Medal next Monday night and sit on a table with Essendon teammates.<\/p>\n \u201cThe AFL has confirmed Zach Merrett will be at the Brownlow Medal. He\u2019s been invited and the only way he can dodge that is to ask for a special dispensation, an exemption for special circumstances,\u201d Ralph said on Fox Footy\u2019s Midweek Tackle on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has not done that, the expectation is he will turn up and he will be there as the Essendon captain on a table with some of his Essendon teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n Gunston & Ginni cleared to play vs. Cats | 02:21<\/p>\n Ralph suggested Merrett needs a \u201cstrategy\u201d ahead of the event and should speak publicly beforehand for the first time since trade reports first emerged.<\/p>\n \u201cMake sure you\u2019ve spoken first, make sure you hold your head high. Don\u2019t get dragged down by all the leaks and all the drama, even though you\u2019ve probably been guilty of some of that and your camp,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cThe awkwardness of him sitting there with his teammates, it\u2019s going to be exquisite there. <\/p>\n \u201cI would hope he speaks before that. And he\u2019s probably going to have to walk the red carpet, and not be asked once, but asked 20 times: \u2018What are you doing now Zach?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n SWAN TO REQUEST TRADE TO PIES<\/p>\n Sydney forward Jack Buller is set to request a trade to Collingwood, reports AFL Media\u2019s Callum Twomey.<\/p>\n The Magpies, who have a connection to Buller with footy boss\/ex-Swans head of football Charlie Gardiner, have reportedly tabled a two-year deal to the 24-year old.<\/p>\n Buller is out of contract but still can only move clubs via trade.<\/p>\n Howe provides encouraging injury update | 02:40<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s going to request a trade is my expectation to Collingwood from Sydney,\u201d Twomey said on <\/a>Gettable<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has a two-year offer on the table there (from Collingwood) and he\u2019s met with them in recent days.<\/p>\n \u201cCharlie Gardiner is the link there, having been at the Swans now at the Pies.\u201d<\/p>\n Buller has booted 11 goals from 10 games for Sydney \u2014 including nine appearances under Dean Cox this year \u2014 since joining the club in the 2023 mid-season draft.<\/p>\n