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Speaking after securing the club\u2019s most prestigious award with 217 votes, Merrett once again spoke commendably, however remained vague on what the next few weeks look like for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, the dialogue between myself and the club leaders has been extremely open and very clear both ways throughout the last few weeks,\u201d Merrett said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to thank (new president) Andrew Welsh for his support recently, and I congratulate him on his presidency. I know he will lead this club with integrity, and (with) strong values.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe last few weeks have certainly been difficult for me, my family and for many people in and around the football club. I respect the club\u2019s position regarding their desire to retain me at the football club, and fully understand what it means to be a contracted player and captain.<\/p>\n
Zach Merrett speaks at the Crichton Medal.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n
\u201cI acknowledge that there are complexities and uncertainties right now regarding the external noise and pressure. I am fully committed to continue working with the club, and with the help of those closest to me, work with those factors at play.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t have control over what others say or do, but from my perspective, I will always show care and consideration for the fans, my teammates, coaches and the club. Even if we disagree on some things, that\u2019s my commitment \u2014 and it will not waver.<\/p>\n
In addition to his Crichton Medal, Merrett also won the McCracken Medal, presented to the player who best exemplifies the club\u2019s core values and DNA, as voted on by the playing group after each match.<\/p>\n
Only Bill Hutchison and Dick Reynolds (seven each) have won more Crichton Medals than Merrett, with each player retiring in the 1950s.<\/p>\n
Evidently, Merrett has made himself a future club legend with his on-field efforts and continued leadership amid hardship \u2014 but the three-time All-Australian emphasised no player is ever bigger than the club.<\/p>\n
Welsh determined to keep hold of Merrett | 03:19<\/p>\n
\u201cNo club should be defined by one person, and Essendon is no different. It\u2019s the sum of all marks that makes the club what it is,\u201d Merrett added.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I\u2019ve learned anything across the last 12 years … it is more than just being passionate, or hoping the club will get better. In elite sport, you must execute the shared vision and perform to the highest standards day in and day out.<\/p>\n
\u201cLastly, and importantly, my heartfelt thanks to the fans \u2014 you always show up. Your passion and patience is something truly special.<\/p>\n
\u201cI said it on Brownlow night, and I\u2019ll say it again tonight \u2014 we truly have the best supporters in the AFL.<\/p>\n
\u201cI share your frustrations that we haven\u2019t been where we should be, and where we belong for a long period of time now. But rest assured, from the first day I walked in, I loved this club. I continue to love this club, and I will always love this club. I truly hope the success comes quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n
In-demand ruck Sam Draper has already informed the club of his desire to depart Tullamarine this free agency period, with the 205cm to join Brisbane. <\/p>\n
If Merrett were to leave the club, it would make him the first club captain in-contract to depart their club since Ryan Griffen departed the Western Bulldogs for GWS all the way back in 2014.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the evening, head coach Brad Scott sounded heartfelt praise for Merrett, in a heartfelt speech at the front end of the night.<\/p>\n
\u201cZach had another exceptional year, and I know I speak for everyone when I say how proud we are to give his heart and soul for our club on a weekly basis,\u201d Scott said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a difficult few weeks for Zach, his family, and I\u2019d like to thank all those who have supported him. We love you Zach. We love you and Alexandra, and you\u2019ll have my full support. Thanks for everything you\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Merrett was seated with departing Bomber and 2025 Life Member inductee Jayden Laverde, Jye Caldwell, Nate Caddy, Matt Guelfi and Will Setterfield.<\/p>\n
Archie Roberts finished as runner-up to Merrett after an exceptional season at just 19 years of age, while Sam Durham finished third for a second straight campaign.<\/p>\n
2025 Crichton Medal \u2014 Top 10<\/p>\n
1. Zach Merrett \u2013 217 votes<\/p>\n
2. Archie Roberts \u2013 186<\/p>\n
3. Sam Durham \u2013 175 <\/p>\n
4. Andrew McGrath \u2013 171 <\/p>\n
5. Nic Martin \u2013 116 <\/p>\n
6. Mason Redman \u2013 114 <\/p>\n
7. Xavier Duursma \u2013 111 <\/p>\n
8. Jye Caldwell \u2013 101 <\/p>\n
9. Jaxon Prior \u2013 95 <\/p>\n
10. Peter Wright \u2013 91<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Zach Merrett has addressed his Essendon future with teammates, coaches and fans after clinching a remarkable sixth Crichton…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":185281,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,104527,107267,118421,69039,64,63,689,55,639,696,118426,6173,118424,11231,81333,118417,1119,2105,7492,5330,100214,118419,12107,118425,647,14426,677,118420,118422,11244,25862,85,77684,1133,118423,660,118418,25581],"class_list":["post-185280","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-afl","tag-afl","tag-agency-period","tag-andrew-welsh","tag-annual-function","tag-archie-roberts","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australia-and-new-zealand","tag-australian-football-league","tag-australianfootballleague","tag-brad-scott","tag-club-leaders","tag-club-legend","tag-elite-sport","tag-essendon-bombers","tag-exchange-period","tag-fairest-awards-night","tag-football-club","tag-getty-images-inc","tag-hawthorn-hawks","tag-head-coach","tag-jye-caldwell","tag-life-member-inductee","tag-matt-guelfi","tag-media-outlets","tag-melbourne","tag-nate-caddy","tag-oceania","tag-on-field-efforts","tag-ryan-griffen","tag-sam-draper","tag-sam-durham","tag-sports","tag-trade-interest","tag-trade-period","tag-trade-plans","tag-victoria","tag-weeks-look","tag-zach-merrett"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/185280","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=185280"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/185280\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/185281"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=185280"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=185280"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=185280"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}