president Andrew Welsh, Scott Watters urges West Coast to chase Steven May, latest news

Zach Merrett has met with Essendon after a tumultuous period. Plus a rival club has been urged to pursue Steven May.

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MERRETT MEETS WITH BOMBERS

Zach Merrett reportedly met with Essendon vice-president Andrew Welsh in a bid to maintain a relationship between the skipper and the club after a tumultuous week, according to Seven and The Age.

Seven’s Mitch Cleary revealed the meeting took place in Port Melbourne on Thursday morning. And though Merrett is “still keen on a move to Hawthorn,” the catch up is “important dialogue if Merrett is held to his contract to show the relationship isn’t exactly dead.”

It comes as Merrett is expected to attend the Brownlow Medal next Monday night in what would be the star midfielder’s first high-profile public appearance since trade talk first emerged.

Essendon has so far been adamant that Merrett, contracted for two more seasons, won’t be traded despite the saga turning ugly in the fallout from his meeting with Hawthorn.

That includes teammates expressing disappointment with their skipper, while Merrett’s appearance at the club best and fairest — of which he’s expected to win — is in doubt.

But Thursday’s meeting with Welsh at least calms tensions to some degree after an uneasy period.

Hawks turnover game KEY vs. Cats | 03:07

EAGLES URGED TO PURSUE MAY

Former Eagle Scott Watters thinks Steven May “absolutely” should be a trade target for West Coast.

Reports this week stated Melbourne had told May to find a new home in next month’s exchange window, despite the 33-year old defender having a year to run on his contract.

It’s the first key move under new Demons coach Steven King as he begins to shape his list for 2026.

And ex-Saints coach Watters believes it’s an ideal opportunity for the rebuilding Eagles to add experience to their group.

“Steven May is exactly the type of player that West Coast should be looking at to help them transition from a deep hole of development to the next stage of opportunity,” Watters told The West Australian.

“He’s got two good years of football left in him to support that transition.

“Would I look at Steven May if I was West Coast? Absolutely. He adds something to them right now and right now is what they need.”

West Coast coach Andrew McQualter worked at Melbourne as an assistant in 2023 and 2024, while Demons assistant Sam Radford last month crossed to the Eagles to join McQualter’s team.

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