Zach Merrett disappointed at being ousted from Essendon’s leadership group
Essendon gun midfielder Zach Merrett was somewhat taken aback after being stripped of his leadership role by a player vote. See how the former vice-captain plans to recover from the setback.
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Bomber Zach Merrett admits he was slightly shocked following his surprise demotion from Essendon’s leadership group but was aware of the voting system in place.
The two-time best and fairest winner was outside the top five in their leadership group voting this week, relinquishing the vice-captaincy reigns after serving the role for two seasons.
Merrett says he will use the leadership setback as an opportunity to improve himself, like teammate Michael Hurley - who was reinstalled to the leadership group for 2020 - did last season when he was axed.
“It was a little bit of a shock but it was a pretty clear process, it was clear to all the players and all the staff involved,” Merret told Channel 7.
“Some really rich learnings and things I can take forward.”
“I think Hurls (Michael Hurley) took the learnings last year and really improved himself, the connection in the team.
“I’ll go away and look at what I can improve on.”
Meanwhile, Essendon will “continue to care” for Zach Merrett after he was sensationally dumped from the Bombers’ leadership group.
Footy boss Dan Richardson says the club will sit down with the “disappointed” midfield star and “give some really honest feedback” after the playing group voted to strip last year’s vice-captain from a leadership role.
“It’s certainly not a case of ‘oh, Zach, you’re out, so just forget about you’ sort of thing,” Richardson said on SEN Breakfast.
“I’m sure Zach will come back right now bigger and better and use this as a learning opportunity to continue to grow his leadership and the way he goes about things.”
Richardson said coach John Worsfold had spoken with Merrett, who captained the club eight times last season while Dyson Heppell was injured.
“We don’t think there’s any confusion, the process has been very transparent, we don’t think Zach’s confused,” he said.
“Look, yeah, he’s a little bit disappointed initially, but I think, as Michael Hurley said yesterday, there will be some good that comes out of this for Zach.
“I think Hurls said himself he benefited from being out of the group last year and he continued to evolve and grow his leadership and I’m sure that will take place.”
Hurley was stripped of his leadership role last season, but makes a return, while gun small forward Orazio Fantasia was voted into the group, but declined the role to focus on his own fitness and performance.
Richardson would not go into details about the player vote that ousted Merrett and teammate Joe Daniher in favour of Hurley, Devon Smith, Dylan Shiel and David Zaharakis as support for captain Dyson Heppell.
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“It’s probably a bit hard to in a short space of time, but … we asked players for feedback on each other around some on and off-field roles and around their leadership,” he said.
“The process that we went through was a little bit different to previous years, I wouldn’t necessarily suggest it was harsher, but I guess the fact it was a different process means you may end up with a different outcome.
“That said, we’ve still ended up with an outcome of a five-man leadership group, which was similar to last year.”
Richardson backed Merrett, saying he was still “rated well” at the club.
“It’s just he didn’t rate as highly as the other five currently included in the group,” he said.
“I don’t think the fact that he’s not in the official leadership group … that doesn’t mean he’s a poor leader or not leading at all, he is and I’m sure he will continue to do so along with other strong leaders that aren’t in the official leadership group.”
Hurley said Merrett’s omission did not take away from his leadership qualities, with the reigning best-and-fairest winner having long been touted as a future captain of the club.
“The criteria’s changed slightly,” Hurley said.
“It doesn’t take away from Zach as a leader. He’s the ultimate competitor. He’s a great team man and he may not be in the team this year but going forward he’s going to be a great leader for the club.
“I can’t really speak for the other players. I know that my votes went in and he polled strongly for me. We’ve seen in the past that guys have come in and out so I’m not sure exactly why that’s happened but he’s a great young leader, a really driven young individual, so I’m sure we’ll see the best of him this year.”
Hurley’s said being left out of the leadership group gave him “a mixture of emotions”.
“It’s a good opportunity to reflect on your leadership style,” Hurley said.
“I know last year I wasn’t in the group but I think my leadership grew throughout the year. I saw things slightly differently and became a bit of a conduit for players that weren’t in the leadership group and some of the younger players.
“I’ve been in and out but I’m honoured to be back in the group and I’m looking forward to the year.”
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On his return to Tullamarine in November, Daniher said he was “fully committed” to Essendon after a trade to the Swans fell through.
“It (the trade) wasn’t to be so here we are and I’m ready and committed to get back into it,” Daniher said at the time.
“For me I just want to get out and train and train hard and provide some real leadership.”
The 25-year-old has been restricted to 11 games in the past two years by groin problems.
He headed to Ireland last month to visit a groin specialist in an effort to overcome the injury issues which have stalled his career.
850 games of experience.
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) February 3, 2020
Our 2020 leaders 🔴⚫ï¸
Daniher comes out of contract this year.
Retired midfielder David Myers was also a member of the leadership group last year.