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Essendon

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 17: Zach Merrett of the Bombers looks dejected after a loss during the 2025 AFL Round 10 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Essendon Bombers at Marvel Stadium on May 17, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Captaincy queries, grudges and Merrett’s Dons reinvigoration

Zach Merrett wasn’t sure how it would feel walking back into Essendon after a failed trade request. He tells Jay Clark how his return went, what he thinks about remaining captain and more.

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Dons’ list struggles exposed — and the trade that may turn tide

Dons’ list struggles exposed — and the trade that may turn tide

Could we see more off-season drama between Essendon and Hawthorn? This move would certainly amplify the rivalry in the AFLW space — and it’s exactly what the Bombers need.

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NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. November 19th. AFL National Draft at Marvel Stadium. Essendon draftees Jacob Farrow , Sullivan Robey and Dyson Sharp . Picture: Michael Klein

Bombers’ bold draft play comes at a cost as top prospect slips away

The Bombers could be forgiven for being gun-shy after how their last draft with three top picks turned out. But the future foundation has been set — albeit at the cost of one of their own.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: Nate Caddy of the Bombers marks during the round 18 AFL match between Richmond Tigers and Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 12, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Bombers’ injury pain continues as Caddy scales back training loads

After a horror 2025 on the injury front, the 2026 pre-season has immediately started on the wrong foot as Nate Caddy and Nic Martin have both found themselves back in the medical bay.

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NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. 22nd March, 2025 . AFL Round 2. Essendon vs Adelaide at the MCG. Zach Merrett of the Bombers enjoyed a 4th qtr goal . Picture: Michael Klein

Dons formally knock back Hawks’ Merrett deal after ultimatum

Hawthorn gave the Bombers an ultimatum on their offer for skipper Zach Merrett, but the Dons have formally knocked back the deal to set up a tense final day of trade period. See the latest.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Zach Merrett of the Bombers poses with the Anzac Medal during the 2024 AFL Round 07 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 25, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

‘Trail of destruction’: Star hung out to dry

The Bombers have been called out over a Trade Period act that has left commentators snickering with a monster deal twisting dramatically.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 25: Brad Scott, Senior Coach of the Bombers and Zach Merrett of the Bombers line up during an Indigenous War Cry during the round 11 AFL match between Richmond Tigers and Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on May 25, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Dons have stemmed bleeding — but don’t pop the champagne yet

Essendon’s 2026 may feature a moping Zach Merrett after being stripped of the captaincy, but when you consider where the Bombers were weeks ago, it’s better than doomsday.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Michael Voss, Senior Coach of the Blues celebrates with Charlie Curnow of the Blues during the 2023 AFL First Elimination Final match between the Carlton Blues and the Sydney Swans at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 08, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The scary certainties holding back blockbuster Curnow, Merrett trades

Two clubs are about to reap the rewards of trading future picks with battling teams. And it’s exactly why Essendon and Carlton need to be careful before they trade Charlie Curnow or Zach Merrett.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 17: Brad Scott, Head Coach of the Bombers walks back to the bench at quarter time during the round 19 AFL match between Essendon Bombers and GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium on July 17, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Essendon’s draft bombshell: Dons’ path to next month’s no.1 pick

Essendon has a big decision to make over the next few days regarding the future of its skipper Zach Merrett. But could a blockbuster trade re-shape the order of next month’s draft?

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Promo art for Andrew Walsh feature

How Essendon plans to get its ‘swagger’ back

Andrew Walsh didn’t think twice when running into the melee in the infamous line in the sand game. He says the club has lost its mongrel – here’s how he plans to help bring it back.

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GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: Zach Merrett of the Bombers leads his team out onto the field during the 2025 AAMI AFL Community Series match between Geelong Cats and Essendon Bombers at GMHBA Stadium on February 25, 2025 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Bombers won’t take Hawks’ calls on Merrett move

Essendon says it won’t trade Zach Merrett under any circumstances. Does Hawthorn have a Plan B? Plus the latest on Cam Mackenzie, Zane Duursma and more.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Zach Merrett of the Bombers looks dejected after losing the round seven AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on April 25, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

‘We’re a rabble’: Ex-Bomber launches scathing attack on club

A former Don says his beloved club is ‘leaking like a sieve’ and may have plunged deeper towards rock bottom than during the infamous drugs saga.

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Signage at AFL House in the Docklands precinct of Melbourne, Victoria, on Thursday, September 21, 2017. (AAP Image/Mal Fairclough) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

AFL’s illicit drugs policy imminent: What’s expected to change?

The AFL’s revamped illicit drugs policy is set to arrive an entire year behind schedule. But what is expected to change? JON RALPH has the details.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: Zach Merrett of the Bombers looks dejected after losing the round 18 AFL match between Richmond Tigers and Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 12, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Hawks respond as Bombers block Merrett move

As list bosses from all 18 AFL clubs assembled at Marvel Stadium on Monday for the opening of the trade period there are two clubs not talking about one captain’s desired move.

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