My Two Cents: Shades of Barrie Robran as Essendon captain Zach Merrett stands by his struggling AFL club | Andrew Capel
Club loyalty is becoming increasingly rare while too many scoff at it, writes Andrew Capel.
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Loyalty should be applauded, not scoffed at.
In an era where many sports people seem to put the dollar and chasing team success ahead of any sense of club or fan loyalty, Essendon captain Zach Merrett’s strong comments last week were praiseworthy.
Drilled on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 about whether he would consider walking out on the struggling Bombers, who he has captained for three years, to join a club in the premiership window, Merrett’s response was an emphatic ‘no’.
“I’m all in (at Essendon),’’ the 29-year-old Merrett declared.
“I’m contracted for two more years, I’m the captain of the footy club. I’ve got so much trust in Brad (coach Brad Scott) and what he’s doing and I really want to see that through.
“That plan through the strategy is a bit longer than I’d probably would have liked when I signed four years ago, but I think it’s pretty clear now these kids are coming through.
“I want to taste that ultimate success with the footy club.’’
Merrett’s strong statement was a breath of fresh air.
He has heard the outside noise – that, after 12 years and 246 games at Bomberland which have netted him four finals campaigns and no finals wins, he should seek greener pastures elsewhere.
“I don’t live under a rock – I’m certainly aware of that,’’ said the classy midfielder, who was drafted by Essendon at pick 26 in 2013.
“My mates love sending me screenshots of photos and articles. But I’m happy, I’m very fortunate to be at an amazing club.
“It’s a difficult season no doubt on-field with so many injuries, and not having many experienced players out there to help.
“But I haven’t felt any (less) motivated. I’m so invested in this group, in Brad, Craig (chief executive Craig Vozzo) and the club.
“You’ve got to laugh a little bit, I think July’s a bit boring for journos at this time of year to start speculating on things. I’m very comfortable on where I sit.
“If I wanted to be individual, I’d go play tennis or golf. I’ve got a lot of motivation and desire to dig in and keep working with these guys.”
Even Essendon great Matthew Lloyd has questioned whether Merrett, a triple All-Australian, should look after his own backyard and move to a premiership contender as the 14th-placed, injury-riddled Bombers rebuild.
“No one would begrudge him (if he left),” Lloyd told Footy Classified.
“I know they would internally, but the mutuals wouldn’t.
“Zach will win his sixth best and fairest this year and he will have achieved everything you can at the Essendon Football Club, bar play in a winning final.
“That’s what the conversations that he might think about having. We’re obviously speculating here, but that’s what you play footy for.
“Once your days are over, all you remember are those big finals you played in, nothing else.
That’s what he will never ever have that memory of.”
But what about club loyalty? Surely that counts for plenty.
And wouldn’t it be more satisfying to lead your club from the bottom rungs of the ladder to the top, rather than just be the cream on top of a side that has already done the hard work?
If Merrett stays and finishes his career at Essendon, which infamously hasn’t won a final since 2004, he will not only go down as a club great but also a favourite son.
There is something to be said for sticking fat and being loyal to the cause, particularly in this era of athletes – and people in general – often putting their own interests ahead of everything else.
In the week that Merrett had others dangle carrots in his face and he was forced to defend his loyalty, rather than take the easy option of jumping ship to a flag contender, the man widely regarded as South Australia’s greatest ever footballer, Barrie Robran, died suddenly at age 77.
Robran was loyal to the core.
The triple Magarey Medallist and North Adelaide hero continually rejected advances to join the VFL in the early 1970s, particularly from Geelong.
His former South Australia state teammate and fellow Australian Football Hall of Fame legend Malcolm Blight last week recalled asking Robran in his heyday whether he would ever consider moving to Melbourne to play in the then VFL.
“He said something like ‘no, after leaving Whyalla my dream was to play at North Adelaide. I’m living my dream and I’m going to live it for much longer’,’’ Blight said.
“He was so rapt with the North Adelaide experience, so job done. North Adelaide was his club.’’
Even in retirement and right up to his untimely death, Robran remained loyal to the Roosters, attending most home games as a spectator who would sit away from the limelight on the eastern side of Prospect Oval.
Port Adelaide AFL games record holder Travis Boak is another fine example of loyalty.
The now 36-year-old was heavily courted by Geelong to return to Victoria when the Power was a basket case in 2012.
But he rejected the Cats’ advances and the strong pull of home to stay loyal to Port, helping the club out of the doldrums to play in four preliminary finals on his way to a club-record 382 AFL games.
Many players will question why they should show loyalty to their clubs when the clubs aren’t often loyal to them in this cutthroat, professional era.
But there is still room for good, old-fashioned loyalty.
It is worthy of respect.
NUMBERS GAME
31
Crow Alex Neal-Bullen disposals against Gold Coast – a career high.
4
Gold Coast’s halftime points score against Adelaide – its lowest ever.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“It was my turn today. Payback’s a … I was going to say something else. Payback’s deserved. It’s good for the game and theatre of the game. Good on Jack.’’ – Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley on Hawk Jack Ginnivan’s plane celebration.
“Three or four times this year we’ve had an apology from the SANFL on a Monday saying they got some really poor decisions wrong and dropped some umpires to the reserves. I reckon it might be the same this week.’’ – South Adelaide coach Jarrad Wright after his team’s 14-point loss to Glenelg.
Originally published as My Two Cents: Shades of Barrie Robran as Essendon captain Zach Merrett stands by his struggling AFL club | Andrew Capel
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