Zach Merrett says he’s happy to hand over captaincy as senior Dons clear trade tensions
Zach Merrett wasn’t sure how it would feel walking back into Essendon after a failed trade request. He tells Jay Clark how his return went, what he thinks about remaining captain and more.
Essendon superstar Zach Merrett is adamant there is no lingering tension at Tullamarine after addressing his failed trade request at a senior players’ dinner last week.
And the six-time Crichton medallist said he would happily hand over the captaincy if the Bombers felt it was the right move after the club blocked his attempt to join Hawthorn last month.
FULL FEATURE: THE DINNER WHERE MERRETT SAID HE WANTED OUT
In a 30-minute interview with the Herald Sun, Merrett said he had no regrets over the move after feeling late last season that his time to win a flag at Essendon may have run out.
And he detailed the “raw” and “emotional” night he told coach Brad Scott he wanted out, as well as the conflicting emotions he felt sitting on Sam Mitchell’s couch talking about playing for the arch rival next year.
But the jet onballer said he has been reinvigorated by recent changes at the Bombers, their dazzling draft haul and an intensive week spent with his long-time sports psychologist, Jonah Oliver, in Gold Coast.
Importantly, Merrett is adamant there is no remaining bad blood or divide at the club after meeting to discuss events and confront any ill-feelings with teammates last week.
“I had a really good dinner with the leaders the other night where we had a really good discussion and chat about everything,” Merrett said.
“We just all gave each other some context around it all and now we are all really comfortable moving forward together.
“There was a little bit of apprehension because you don’t know how people are going to be around you, but I didn’t feel nervous.
“I was like ‘How do I make sure people around me don’t feel nervous or anxious?’
“So I tried to walk into the club with a bounce in my step and help everyone feel as comfortable as possible. Whether that be staff, volunteers or players.
“Overall, that experience has been very warming and welcoming, and to be honest I couldn’t have felt any more normal.
“That is probably not what you would expect considering the previous six or eight weeks, but certainly if you had a camera inside the place (it would show) that is the reality.”
Merrett, 30, said the players were buzzing with the new talent, including three first-round draft picks, an overhauled fitness department and changes in game style at training.
And he has addressed the continuing trade cloud over his head, saying he had not given “any thought” to seeking the same move to Hawthorn next year.
Merrett said he did not hold a grudge against the club for denying his trade request following the most turbulent, testing and emotional two-months of his career.
“How things played out a little bit – there was some disappointment, but overall there was no resentment towards any individual or decision that was made,” he said.
“Jonah was really good at working through all those different things mentally, and how I can go back, having a career-best year and helping Essendon win games of footy.”
Merrett has been captain for three seasons, but the club could make a key change with popular defender Andrew McGrath the most likely replacement.
Merrett said he would throw his full support behind a new skipper if required after deliberately trying to avoid making any major calls on the matter in recent weeks.
“It has been so clouded over the past two months, I have just tried to not make any rash decisions,” he said.
“I will let that all fizzle out and die down a bit and be a bit more calm and measured about it, and also the club will go through the process that every club does.
“That will be a conversation at the right time, and I will be very supportive whatever way the club ends up deciding to go.
“I have been very lucky and fortunate to be selected three times, but we will see where all that lands.”
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Originally published as Zach Merrett says he’s happy to hand over captaincy as senior Dons clear trade tensions
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