“It was about us getting back to the intent to the tackling and with our ball movement being a bit more exciting and generating a bit more excitment for the fans even. Not a lot changed.”
Essendon’s better players were around the ball. Nic Martin, voted best afield, combined with Merrett for 72 disposals. Jye Caldwell had 29, the enterprising Archie Roberts 34 and while hard nut Sam Durham had a modest 26, his impact was equal to that of Martin.
Nic Martin of the Bombers is announced as the Yiooken Trophy winner.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Merrett’s Bombers aren’t striving for glory and fame in 2025 so much as desperately seeking improvement. It was this desire to soak up the wisdom of elders that prompted Merrett to converse with “a dozen or two dozen” coaches and champions across the competition.
This week, he ventured closer to home by organising a meeting with four past Essendon captains. In chronological order: James Hird, Matthew Lloyd, Jobe Watson and Dyson Heppell. It is an initiative that he wants to cement with the current players.
“I got a free lunch. So I’ll say thanks Hirdy for that. He’s the big dog, he can pay for lunches. It was incredible. I mean, we’re trying to bridge that connection and the fabric of generations of Essendon players and captains and trying to bring our fans along for the journey as well. Obviously, moving away from Windy Hill 12, 13 years ago.
“Those guys are very good with their time as well. So I’m fortunate to have such good people mentoring me… to me, it’s more about just discussing what they’ve learned.
Zach Merrett of the Bombers in action.Credit: Getty Images
“I’ve been very lucky to meet a dozen or two dozen coaches, Brownlow medallists – you name it – across the journey. But it’s hard to go past champions of your own footy club and the fabric they have; to bring Hirdy and Lloyd back into the fold in some way I think should excite fans as well.”
Merrett wants the current Bombers to form bonds with the past greats he’s cultivated.
“I think internally we’ve moved on from all those scars. But externally, I think there’s a number of people still hurting a little bit. If we can try and bridge that gap as quickly as we can with a bit of urgency, I think those sort of meetings with Hirdy and Lloydy and Jobe of that era hopefully fast track that with that generation.
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“There was so much success with the ’90s and 2000s and ’80s for me and our players and our current generation of young talent want to immerse themselves with those guys and if I can try and facilitate that as much as possible.
“I know Brad’s very open to those guys coming in and being part of our fabric as well.”
While disappointed to see Zach Reid injured in the Dreamtime game on Friday night, Merrett says the key defender now knows what he can achieve.
“We rate him so highly internally, the whole competition probably got a glimpse of what we’ve been seeing internally for four years now,” Merrett said.
“So disappointing to see him go down again now. He’s a terrific kid, I think now he knows he’s very capable at AFL level and no doubt that will excite him and motivate him in his rehab as well, which is going to be frustrating but hopefully it’s not going to be too long.”
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