Zach Merrett says he \u201cstill feels the love\u201d at Essendon despite a sour past fortnight, but he maintained there are imminent \u201cconversations with appropriate stakeholders\u201d about his uncertain future at the club. <\/p>\n
The star midfielder answered questions about his playing future upon arrival at Crown Palladium for Brownlow Medal night. <\/p>\n
There was initially some doubt over whether Merrett would still attend the AFL\u2019s night of nights, given the backlash he\u2019s received for seeking a trade to Hawthorn<\/a>, but the skipper confirmed his appearance on Monday evening. <\/p>\n Watch the best build-up to the 2025 AFL Grand Final, with expert analysis and full Grand Final day coverage, on Fox Footy via Kayo | 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 Speaking to Fox Sports News reporter Drew Jones, Merrett began by admitting Monday night was set to be \u201cunique\u201d considering the events of the past fortnight. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to it. Obviously, it\u2019s a unique night given the last two weeks, but it\u2019s much bigger than me, clearly. There\u2019ll be some amazing individual seasons will be celebrated tonight, and there\u2019ll be a very worthy winner come 10 o\u2019clock,\u201d Merrett told Fox Sports. <\/p>\n Asked how he was coping amid the inescapable scrutiny, Merrett said: \u201cIt\u2019s been a difficult time for me and my family when you\u2019re dealing with things largely in the media. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve had constant dialogue with the club, I\u2019ve felt their support behind closed doors \u2014 which has been incredible \u2014 and I\u2019ve had some amazing messages from a number of people in the footy world, but also broader than that.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been difficult, but it\u2019s the industry we\u2019re in. I understand that. It\u2019s different to being critiqued for kicks and handballs, so we\u2019ll see what happens in the next few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n Neale & Berry racing clock to play GF | 02:26<\/p>\n Asked where things sit between him and Essendon, Merrett said: \u201cI still feel the love. It\u2019s a place that I absolutely adore and have for 12 years.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happens beyond that, I don\u2019t know. But I still love it regardless. I still feel like Brad has love for me and support for me. So, we\u2019ll see what happens in the next few weeks as we work through what\u2019s next for all of us \u2014 but there\u2019s plenty of factors at play, and a fair bit of uncertainty as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked if anything had changed, Merrett said: \u201cThere\u2019s probably broader things than that. I\u2019ll go into detail at a later date, but for the moment right now, I\u2019ll get through tonight, wake up tomorrow and get back to training.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019ll be conversations and meetings had away from the media behind closed doors with the appropriate stakeholders, and we\u2019ll see where it lands.\u201d<\/p>\n After finishing his interview with Jones, Merrett could be seen in conversation with teammates Andy McGrath and Nic Martin. <\/p>\n Cats call for Pre-Grand Final bye | 00:56<\/p>\n But speculation around a blockbuster Essendon-Hawthorn trade hasn\u2019t died down, nor will it as the October player movement period continues to edge closer. <\/p>\n \u201cThis one has shifted significantly,\u201d the Herald Sun\u2019s Jon Ralph told Fox Footy\u2019s On the Couch last week<\/a> of a possible Merrett move. <\/p>\n \u201cEssendon is realising: \u2018We have to trade our captain, we just have to make sure we get the best possible deal\u2019. His manager, Tom Petroro, will be the one who effectively brokers this deal.<\/p>\n \u201cThe problem is Essendon will say they want two first-round picks and maybe another quality player. And Hawthorn is always hard to deal with; they were hard to deal with in the Tom Barrass situation. They\u2019ll say he\u2019s probably worth Pick 8.\u201d<\/p>\n