‘Wouldn’t bother me’: Bombers captain Zach Merrett clears air on logo rumour

Zach Merrett has weighed in on the drama, which led some to believe Essendon’s logo was about to be changed significantly.

MELBOURNE . 09/04/2023. AFL . Round 4. Essendon vs Greater Western Sydney at Marvel Stadium. Skipper Zach Merrett leads his team off Marvel Stadium . Pic: Michael Klein

Essendon captain Zach Merrett says players were asked about the “broader direction of the club” back in January, rather than specific changes to the club’s logo.

Reports emerged this week Essendon is considering replacing the bomber aircraft, with a research project throughout the season to determine how the club’s members and stakeholders view the team.

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AFL 360 co-host Mark Robinson said that discussion wasn’t an accurate reflection of the situation.

“The story gets totally worked over,” Robinson said, saying the story had been “hijacked”.

“They are looking at branding at that club after the last decade, which involved the drug supplements saga, the issues post-saga, the sacking of coaches, trying to get stability back, members, where are we as a group? Where are we as a footy club?

“That’s what it is. The Bombers won’t change.”

Merrett said the issue had prompted discussion among his social circle.

“I got a few messages from mates. I think from my point of view, I was part of some questions or survey results back in probably January asking about the broader direction of the club,” he told AFL 360.

“Nothing about logos or names, it was very much about brand.

“I think where we’ve been in the past, obviously a turbulent last five, 10, 15 years, I think it was more around where do we want to go and how are we going to get there. That was sort of my read on the whole situation.”

Bombers skipper Zach Merrett leads his team off Marvel Stadium. Pic: Michael Klein

Merrett said a refresh of the club logo “wouldn’t bother” him, but that “the connection at the moment is probably to the bomber and I think we all connect with that as players and I’m sure fans do.”

The skipper added the connection with former` players remained strong, as it did with the club’s heritage.

“In our gym we have all our heritage logos, we have a big line I think from our first captain ... there’s a sash on every player ... that certainly is something that we all connect with as present players,” he said.

“Attending the 93’ Hall of Fame inductees the other night and the reunion was pretty special as well.

“To hear some of their stories and the way in which they still feel connected and I think they’re loving the way we’re playing at the moment and they’re feeling as connected as they have ever, probably.”

Originally published as ‘Wouldn’t bother me’: Bombers captain Zach Merrett clears air on logo rumour