Zach Merrett Hawthorn chances uncertain, Jack Steele Essendon could help take load off

Dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna has backed Zach Merrett and Essendon to maturely “get on with it” next year, should the star midfielder remain at the Bombers.

And Herald Sun chief football reporter Jay Clark believes a St Kilda on-baller could help alleviate the leadership burden on Merrett.

Essendon on Monday opened the AFL’s trade period by shutting down talk of a potential Merrett trade with Hawthorn – the player’s preferred destination – and refused to budge on its plans to keep him at the club.

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Merrett, who won his sixth club best and fairest last week, conceded there are “complexities and uncertainties” about his future, having met with Hawks coach Sam Mitchell.

But following a statement from new president Andrew Welsh that Merrett would be kept to the final two years of his contract, list boss Matt Rosa was adamant on Monday the captain was a “required player” and he’d made no official request for a trade.

“The conversations are ongoing though, there’s been really good dialogue between Zach and the club,” Rosa said.

“Zach will be an Essendon player next year. If he does (request a trade), nothing will change from our end. Zach is fully aware of that.”

Hawthorn list manager Mark McKenzie said the Hawks would consider bundling picks for Merrett but remain satisfied with going to the draft if they miss the star midfielder.

Yet the Hawks are “focused almost entirely on Merrett in this trade period”, according to The Age, which also suggested the Bomber “faces the highest degree of difficulty” of all big-name players (Charlie Curnow and Christian Petracca) in a smooth path to his preferred club.

All parties, though, have another week to sort out a potential deal ahead of the trade period deadline (Wednesday October 8, 7.30pm AEST).

Speaking on Fox Footy’s Trading Day, Clark said Merrett faced a nervous seven-day wait.

“It feels like this is the deal that is going to go down to the last 10 minutes on deadline day,” Clark told Trading Day.

“I’m interested in the role of his manager Tom Petroro – one of the most senior figures in the AFL … He will play a significant hand in this deal.”

Clark then asked his fellow Trading Day panellists whether Merrett would leave or remain at Essendon.

David Zita said: “I reckon they’re going to hold firm. I reckon the Bombers keep him. Andrew Welsh, since he’s come in they’ve cast a very different tune publicly. I know things can change behind the scenes, but I just feel like at this stage Essendon holds him.”

Josh Barnes said: “What are we up to – ex-president, current president, CEO and list manager saying he’s staying? I think that means he has to stay, doesn’t he?”

Montagna said: “Call me gullible next week, but I think he’s staying. But I could have egg on the face.”

Should Merrett remain a Bomber, Montagna said both player and club would show professionalism to quickly work through any lingering tension.

“It’ll be awkward for about the first day or two,” Montagna told Trading Day. “A few teammates might thrown some barbs at him and have a bit of fun with it. After a week of pre-season, they’ll all be back into it.

“He’s still mates with them all, he’s their best player and they’ll get on with it.”

The Bombers have also been linked to St Kilda captain Steele, who has been told he could explore options despite wanting to stay at the Saints.

Rosa on Monday said Essendon “admire” Steele and would look at the potential to bring him in, adding: “We’re always looking to bring in high end characters and role specifics that can help the club also.”

Clark said Steele would be a great acquisition for Essendon.

“Even if Zach Merrett stays, they’re a young group and probably need some of that extra seniority around,” he said.

“If they’re looking to take the load off Zach Merrett in the event that he stays for 2026, I wonder whether Jack Steele could be a very important cog in that midfield. There’s a lot to play out there.”

But Montagna said Steele could be a great value pick for a club needing a defensively-minded midfielder.

“For a club like the Adelaide Crows, GWS Giants, Essendon, even if Hawthorn – depending on what happens with Zach Merrett and Bailey Humphrey – is it a risk taking on a player who is that defensive-minded midfielder who can compliment a midfield?” Montagna asked.

“I wonder whether his reputation has been damaged a bit this year because everyone thought ‘he’s the captain, he’s an All-Australian, he’s a best and fairest winner’ – the expectations were higher.

“But if he goes to another club with lower expectations as a defensive mid like an (Tom) Atkins, like a George Hewett or (Josh) Dunkley, we see the importance they play.

“He might be a steal because I don’t think St Kilda are going to demand too much.”

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