St Kilda denies attempt to poach Bombers skipper Zach Merrett with monster offer

Zach Merrett has been linked to a monster offer from St Kilda in recent days, but JON RALPH reports the Saints and Bombers have denied any chance of the detail being done.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 23: Zach Merrett (left) and Dyson Heppell of the Bombers celebrate during the 2024 AFL Round 15 match between the Essendon Bombers and the West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium on June 23, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Essendon and St Kilda have shut down trade speculation about Zach Merrett as the Bombers skipper made clear he had no interest in a move to Moorabbin.

The Saints denied approaching Merrett with a contract offer on Monday, with the Dons captain clearly not interested even if St Kilda had been keen to lure him away from The Hangar.

An Essendon spokesperson on Monday said Merrett had never considered rival interest, stating: “Neither the club or Zach have any interest in exploring the concept. He is our captain and not going anywhere.”

St Kilda has denied it is chasing Essendon skipper Zach Merrett. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

The Saints went as far as releasing a statement on Monday to clarify their stance on Merrett.

The club said there had been no “formal discussion” on attempting to trade for Merrett.

While St Kilda might have had some interest in approaching Merrett, it seems fanciful that he would cross to another club who had missed finals this year.

A St Kilda spokesperson said on Monday: “We have not approached his management with a contract offer for Zach to join St Kilda.

“There has also not been any formal discussion of this topic with Zach or his management.

“We will not be making any further comment on this matter.”

The Dons continue to hold out despite Jake Stringer’s hope for a contract extension, with the veteran goalkicker currently only contracted for 2025 on a $400,000 deal.

Essendon could lift that offer in financial terms but has not yet done and is not interested in offering him a two-year deal.

Peter Wright appears on the fringe of the Essendon side. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Jake Stringer is reportedly unhappy with Essendon’s offer. Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

Collingwood and Sydney have downplayed any interest so he will have to find a willing party or might have to go back to the Dons with tail between legs.

There is a view at Essendon that with Kyle Langford and Nate Caddy now first-choice players, there is room for only one of Stringer and Peter Wright in the team.

Stringer played this year as a roving forward while Wright spent time in the reserves but the Dons will be desperate to get the best out of him next year.

Back-up ruckman Nick Bryan will also be staying at Essendon given he is contracted and the Dons have shown they are keen to play him alongside Sam Draper.

He has multiple clubs interested in him but he would need to move to a club where he could play first ruck instead of again slotting into a reserve role.

So he seems destined to play on at the Dons as he tries to carve out an even bigger role next year.