Tribunal ‘farce’, Richmond to Tasmania plans, Zach Merrett’s response and everything you missed on Tuesday night’s AFL TV shows

Essendon skipper Zach Merrett has responded to trade talk – is his future in red and black? Plus, Richmond’s potential move, Jeremy Howe’s contract and everything you missed on TV.

Essendon captain Zach Merrett has spoken out about his future at the club after being drawn into trade rumours.

Plus a club has been brought up as a potential replacement for North Melbourne as the Kangaroos look to exit footy Tasmania.

Check out all the major storylines you missed on Tuesday night’s AFL TV shows.

TRIBUNAL “IS JUST WASTING EVERYBODY’S TIME”

The AFL tribunal system is under fire after hitting Carlton’s Adam Cerra with a $5500 fine in a lengthy hearing for his careless umpire contact.

Cerra faced a potential suspension but walked away slightly lighter in the wallet, which received criticism from Fox Footy’s Gerard Whateley.

“Tonight the tribunal has reached new levels of high farce as they quibbled over $1250, with a panel of lawyers who will shortly bill for $30,000,” Whateley said on AFL 360.

“I don’t dismiss the broader principle, which is important. It has gone too far, and the AFL is duty bound to its umpires to find a way to review it.

“The only way to do that is to confront players.

“To quibble over $1250 to set this principle, I don’t think they have quite achieved what they wanted to achieve.

“If you wanted to make a stand, and a stand is worth making, you had to leave the spectre of suspension on the table at least for a little while, but that was withdrawn immediately.

“This is just wasting everybody’s time.”

Cerra faced a potential suspension after the AFL announced mid-season that a fourth charge within a two-year window would trigger a tribunal hearing to determine the punishment.

The Carlton midfielder made contact with the umpire while tussling with Brisbane’s Lachie Neale at the stoppage, turning his back on the contest as Neale tried to break free.

The umpire was floored but play continued, with Cerra coming under scrutiny once the game was over.

The number of incidents have grown in recent years, prompting the change at AFL level.

If the contact, or the number of offences was significant enough, the AFL could push for a suspension as a deterrent.

But despite facing a week on the sidelines, Cerra was told the tribunal was only seeking a fine of $6,250.

Carlton pushed for a reduced $5000 fine, saying Cerra would have likely challenged previous offences if he knew of an incoming crackdown on umpire contact.

Ultimately they split the difference, with the fine slotting in at $5500.

HOWE DOES 2026 LOOK?

Collingwood premiership defender Jeremy Howe has been linked to North Melbourne to fill a defensive void as he awaits a contract extension from the Magpies.

Currently without a deal for 2026, Howe had his name raised as a possible recruit for the Kangaroos by Mitch Cleary on Agenda Setters.

“Still no formal contract offer from the Pies,” he said.

Could Jeremy Howe end up at Arden St? Picture: Matt Roberts

“If I was North Melbourne, they’ve missed on Nathan Broad, they’ve missed on Brayden Maynard, I think he would be the perfect guy to go and nurture some of these younger defenders.

“They (Collingwood) are keen (to keep him) to a level, but there’s still nothing formal yet.”

MERRETT PLEDGES FUTURE

Zach Merrett has pledged his future to Essendon despite calls for the captain to depart Tullamarine for greener pastures.

The star Bomber has been at All Australian levels again in 2025, but Essendon is toiling towards the bottom of the ladder as the club bloods a 13th debutant in Liam McMahon.

But despite talks of him potentially requesting a trade to chase success, Merrett remains steadfast on staying at the Bombers despite the path to success taking “a bit longer than I would’ve liked”.

“I don’t live under a rock, I’m certainly aware of that (discussion),” he said on AFL 360.

Zach Merrett says he will stay loyal to Essendon. Picture: Josh Chadwick

“My mates love sending me screenshots and photos and articles.

“I think July’s maybe a bit boring for journos at this time of year to start speculating on these types of things, but I’m very comfortable with where I sit.

“I’m happy, I’m very fortunate to be at an amazing club, it’s been a difficult season on field with so many injuries and not having experienced players out there to help me, but I haven’t felt any more motivated or I’m so invested in this group.

“I’m all in, I’m contracted for two more years, I’m the captain of the footy club, I’ve got so much trust in Brad and what he’s doing and I really want to see that through.”

RICHMOND TO TASMANIA?

Richmond could play home games in Hobart in the next two years, according to Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary.

Speaking on Agenda Setters, Cleary said the Tasmanian Government wanted the Tigers to take over North Melbourne’s slate of games.

“The Tasmanian State Government wants Richmond to replace North Melbourne as the new club in Hobart over the next two seasons before the Devils arrive,” he said.

“Richmond is still working through this prospect and will determine it over the next couple of months.

Tim Taranto playing against St Kilda in Tasmania in 2023. Picture: Dylan Burns

“We know Richmond have got a couple of games each year at Marvel Stadium – their fans just don’t rock up, they average 21,000 over the last five games at Marvel Stadium.

“The proposal has the Tigers moving a game or two down to Hobart to fill the void before the Devils come in.

“I dare say they could make double or triple down in Tassie for what they make at a game at Marvel.

“An extra million dollars or two million dollars for your club to work through something like this will help.

“If they were moving out of the MCG I think there would be uproar, but the fact it’s the Marvel game … it is something for them to weigh up.”

RECORD AT THE BOMBERS

Liam McMahon will become Essendon’s 13th and record-equalling debutant this season.

The mid-season draftee has been locked in to face the Giants on Thursday night after impressive VFL form for both Carlton and Essendon this year.

The Bombers will now have the equal-most debutants from a non-expansion team ever, tying Fitzroy’s record in 1991.

McMahon spent time on Collingwood’ list after being drafted in 2020 but he never played a game before being delisted.

He then dominated at VFL level, training with Carlton in the pre-season with hopes of landing a lifeline at Ikon Park.

But after more strong form in the VFL in 2025, McMahon heard his name called out with the No.18 pick at the mid-season draft.

✅ https://t.co/TcmM6ayTz5pic.twitter.com/avPzp9caDr

— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) July 15, 2025

“It’s been a massive road,” he said.

“It’s been five years in the making from when I got drafted back in 2020. It’s not so much a sigh of relief, but it’s more a moment where I was finally able to prove myself right and get to where I am now.

“I’m really proud of my perseverance and my resilience. Being told ‘no’ for five years or that I’m not good enough has been a massive setback and to finally be here now, it’s just so surreal.

“Brad asked me how my day had been going, gave him the quick rundown – it hadn’t been much as it was our day off. He just told me my day was about to get a whole lot better.

“The gratitude is just immense. To be able to say that I’ve now ticked off a childhood dream and that I’m officially an AFL player is something I won’t take for granted, I’ll be so appreciative forever.”

It least just three players on Essendon’s list that are yet to debut, being Kayle Gerreyn, Jayden Nguyen and Rhys Unwin, who are all in their first seasons at the club.

Originally published as Tribunal ‘farce’, Richmond to Tasmania plans, Zach Merrett’s response and everything you missed on Tuesday night’s AFL TV shows