‘Why we exist as a footy club’: Essendon leaders look to break finals loss streak, do fans proud

Zach Merrett will lead the Dons again in 2024, with him and partner-in-crime Andy McGrath hoping the club is able to overcome its dreaded finals streak.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: Zach Merrett of the Bombers celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFL Round 17 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Adelaide Crows at Marvel Stadium on July 9, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Zach Merrett will spearhead Essendon’s quest to end a 20-year finals victory drought after being appointed captain for a second straight year, with Andrew McGrath to again support the midfielder as vice-captain.

Buoyed by the changes made to personnel and with coach Brad Scott having another year to bed down his preferred game plan, Merrett said he expected solid improvement from the Bombers heading into 2024.

“I’m not usually one for rhetoric or puffery and I hope we can play a season that members and fans of the club can be proud to watch and support, as our members and fans are why we exist as a footy club,” Merrett said.

The four-time club best and fairest winner said the club had made big roads heading towards next month’s round 1 clash with Hawthorn.

“It’s not lost on me the privilege to lead the Essendon Football Club on and off the field and it’s something I’m very grateful for,” Merrett said.

“With Brad Scott having his influence on the club through his first full off-season, all players feel well placed to improve this season.

“There was a great recruitment drive to strengthen the playing group, we’ve enhanced our off-field team to support our players and coaches and I think these changes will have a great impact on how we play this year.

“We’re all counting down the days for Round 1 and can’t wait to represent all Essendon people in 2024.”

McGrath said the group had become more aligned across the summer, which he hopes can make a difference in pursuit of a finals berth.

“It’s an honour to be able to support Zach in leading this club each and every day. Regardless of title, the role of leaders within our club is to make those around us better,” McGrath said.

“The whole playing group wants the same thing. We’re very aligned to becoming a better team than we were last year, as is the goal every pre-season, but we’ve put certain things in place to make that a reality now.

“I feel like our training level’s lifting, our stuff away from the football club’s lifting, our whole water level’s rising together. We want to show it on the field now, but we’re optimistic about what we can do.”

Originally published as ‘Why we exist as a footy club’: Essendon leaders look to break finals loss streak, do fans proud