St Kilda’s ‘godfather offer’ to poach Essendon skipper Zach Merrett

A Victorian club is reportedly set to table a gargantuan offer in the hopes of luring one of the AFL’s premier midfielders away.

St Kilda is reportedly preparing to throw together a “godfather offer” in an attempt to lure Essendon skipper Zach Merrett.

The bombshell news was first reported by Nine’s Tom Morris with the Saints out to shake up the AFL trade market.

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Merrett, 28, is contracted with the Bombers until 2027, but that hurdle reportedly isn’t stopping the Saints from going all out.

“St Kilda is preparing a bid to lure Zach Merrett to Moorabbin,” Morris said on SEN on Monday.

“There’s been no formal contract offer, but people close to Merrett are aware of the sort of money St Kilda are prepared to offer and it’s a lot of cash I’m told.

“The Saints are trying to blow him out of the water when it comes to the cash.

“I understand what’s been informally tabled equates to a godfather deal worth well over $1 million per season, which is more than what he’s on at the moment.”

The Saints are set to splash the cash. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Morris added Saints coach Ross Lyon is a “huge fan” of the Bombers skipper as is the club’s midfield coach Brendon Goddard.

Despite the reported monster deal set to be tabled, Port Adelaide premiership player Kane Cornes can’t fathom how the Bombers would agree to any deal.

“Clubs aren’t stupid. You would love to go and get Sam Darcy, every club would love to do that … there must be something more in this, the Saints must have inkling he’s gettable otherwise they’re wasting their time,” Cornes said on SEN.

Morris added: “Merrett, and this is absolutely certain, is very frustrated that he hasn’t been able to play consistent finals and he is adamant that he wants to play finals footy.

“Whether going to St Kilda would change that or not, I’m not sure but nevertheless clubs are aware of that fact.”

The Bombers skipper is a wanted man. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley believes it speaks to a player desperate for finals success.

“I get the sense Zach Merrett is someone who has had a troubled relationship with his club along the way … his journey has coincided with some really challenging times at Essendon including changing over of coaches and senior leadership,” Buckley said.

“I think Zach is a player who understands his football mortality — it’s not going to last forever. He’s really hungry for success and being a part of an organisation that feels is going in the right direction.

“He’s absolutely entitled to have a look because what contributes compared to what he’s gotten back.

“If a club came to him and sold him about coming on their journey and them being able to provide him what he wants out of his career.

“That doesn’t surprise me that St Kilda feels they could position themselves in that way.”

While most agree it’s highly unlikely to eventuate, the ever-growing finances of the AFL means teams are more often than not going to look at splashing the cash in an attempt to lure star players away.