Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell on plans for Zach Merrett; North Melbourne to sign delisted free agents Elijah Tsatas, Samson Ryan and Darragh Joyce
Updated ,first published
In today’s AFL Briefing:
- Zach Merrett has been one of the game’s most prolific accumulators for more than a decade but coach Sam Mitchell has a new message for him at Hawthorn.
- North Melbourne are expected to add delisted free agents Elijah Tsatas and Samson Ryan to their list during the delisted free agency period.
AFLW boss Laura Kane says she is satisfied all clubs are taking their women’s programs seriously after the diabolical seasons from Collingwood, St Kilda and Essendon, and confirmed the league is considering bringing the start of the season forward to overlap with the men’s.
Ahead of the AFLW finals beginning this weekend – starting with a double-header on Saturday at Ikon Park, with Geelong taking on Melbourne and reigning premiers North Melbourne facing Carlton in qualifying finals – Kane was asked about the struggling clubs who all parted with their senior coaches. The Magpies and Saints notched just one win this season, while the Bombers had two.
Last week, Collingwood announced an “independent external expert” would be involved in a review into their women’s program a fortnight after CEO Craig Kelly declared the club did not need one.
“There’s a reality to the ladder. What we’re pleased about is the clubs are saying exactly that – that people are facing into their challenges,” Kane said on Wednesday.
“I can’t fault that transparency and honesty. To have clubs commissioning reviews, endeavouring to get better, that’s what we want to see in the competition.
“I’m satisfied all our clubs understand the opportunity that W represents for our game and are all taking it seriously.”
The Magpies are under pressure following the departure of captain Ruby Schleicher, with several senior players voicing concerns about a lack of improvement and direction in the program.
Kane was also asked about comments Kelly made to the Herald Sun around the cost of the women’s game. She did not address Kelly’s comments specifically, but said there was no plan to reduce costs or broadcast fewer games, noting the importance of investing in the women’s game.
“There’s a reality – everything costs money. It’s an investment, though, and it’s really important that we shift our language and understand the investment our game makes in game development,” she said.
“We’re five or six years now into young girls who come through an entirely equitable talent pathway. That’s because we’ve invested time and money and effort.
“There are no plans to take W off broadcast, there are no plans to cut the investment that we’re making into W. The more fans that come, the more benefit there is to the game.”
On Sunday, Sydney host the Western Bulldogs at Henson Park, while last year’s wooden spooners Gold Coast continue their spectacular season with an elimination final against Hawthorn in Queensland.
The AFLW had a record attendance in 2026, largely due to the success of the men’s and women’s double-headers.
Kane confirmed the league was looking at more double-headers in the future and said they were exploring bringing the start of the AFLW season forward.
“We have an increased crossover anyway, given the timing of the men’s season, and we’re looking at whether that can be shifted even further … there’s plenty of opportunities right now,” she said.
The AFLW is also looking at an equivalent of the AFL’s successful Gather Round in Adelaide and is continuing to have “positive discussions” with Ireland about another representative clash with Australia.
Perennial top-four powers Adelaide and the Brisbane Lions missed out on finals this year, while Port Adelaide, West Coast and Fremantle also stumbled towards the finish line.
– Hannah Kennelly
‘Less is OK’: Why Mitchell wants Zach Merrett to forget the stats
Jon Pierik
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell insists ball magnet Zach Merrett is prepared to adopt a quality-over-quantity mantra in a bid to win an elusive premiership.
Merrett has been one of the game’s most prolific accumulators for more than a decade, averaging more than 27 possessions through 274 games with Essendon, and regularly having 30 or more when used extensively as a midfielder.
The seven-time Crichton medallist has joined an already deep Hawks midfield, and could be used in different roles as Hawthorn aim to go a step beyond successive preliminary final defeats.
Mitchell said Merrett, 31, simply craved team success, and would do what’s required in a bid to help the Hawks deliver their first flag since 2015.
“We don’t look at the statistics too much. Our playing group is very driven on team success,” Mitchell said on Wednesday after the Hawks confirmed Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD had signed a multi-year deal as their new principal sponsor, replacing the Tasmanian government.
“Obviously, as players establish themselves in the game in the early part of their career, there’s a lot of trying to get a game, and then once you get a game every week, then really it becomes about team success … team success is what drives you as you get a bit older.
“ … it’s been a work in progress to get him over to the club, and he’s very firm in his sight that he wants some team success. So, if that means big numbers, then great, big numbers. But if it means less, then less is OK as well. So we’ll measure it on team success, not on the individual, the same as everyone else.”
Merrett managed just four finals – all losing – in his time with the Bombers, the last in 2021.
He has spoken publicly several times since he was traded in October, a year after his initial bid failed, declaring a motivating factor to join the Hawks was team success.
Veteran forward Jack Gunston said Merrett would be a versatile weapon, having been used, at times, at half-back by the Bombers this year.
“He’s a quality player. Like he can play multiple roles, and you’ve seen that at Essendon when he was there, and he’s a leader,” Gunston said. “He’s been a captain for so long there, so he’s going to be great for a lot of these younger guys here. They are just going to pick his brain.
“He seems like a guy that just works and works and works, and comes in and does the hours. And, I was fortunate to play with Ben [King] and Zach for Victoria earlier this year, and they’re both professional, and yeah, they’re going to be great attributes for our club.”
King, the leading goalkicker in Gold Coast history, was another key recruit for Hawthorn, giving Mitchell and his men few, if any, outs, if they fail to deliver a flag next year.
Gunston said he and his fellow forwards would quickly learn to work alongside King.
The Hawks officially begin pre-season training later this month, still stinging from their nine-point preliminary final loss to the Brisbane Lions, having led by three points with one minute and 19 seconds left in the game.
“There’s an element of, yeah, ‘what if?’ I think watching the grand final, there’s an element of ‘what if’ as well,” Gunston said.
“But, in the end, we weren’t good enough, and that’s two prelims in a row where we haven’t been able to get over the line. So there’s a lot of motivation going around, and you don’t have to look too far.”
The Hawks’ lucrative 25-year partnership with the Tasmanian government ends next season, when they will again have four home games at their secondary base in Launceston. The Tasmania Devils will enter the competition in 2028, and have been given the opportunity to commercially dominate their local market.
Hawks chief executive Ash Klein said his club was always “open to opportunities” but “had not got to that stage” of asking whether they could continue to play at least one home game a season in Launceston.
Second chances: Roos snap up discarded top-five pick, Saints add Stringer
Peter Ryan
St Kilda have sprung a surprise, adding ex-Hawk big man Max Ramsden to their list as former Essendon teammates Elijah Tsatas and Jake Stringer were given AFL lifelines at new clubs as the delisted free agency period became active on Wednesday.
North Melbourne added Tsatas, along with Samson Ryan and Darragh Joyce to their list, while Stringer and Ramsden are now officially Saints players.
Essendon used pick five in the 2022 national draft to select Tsatas, but he managed just 22 matches with the Bombers.
As a stoppage player, he was never able to break into the midfield, with his kicking and ability to spread always questioned, but he will appreciate the second chance with the Kangaroos looking to add depth to their midfield.
Ryan battled to make an impression at Richmond and was suspended soon after an opportunity opened up this year when premiership ruckman Toby Nankervis was injured.
He is mobile and has had good grounding at the Tigers but remains a depth option, having played 31 matches since being taken at pick No.40 in the 2020 national draft.
The Kangaroos opened up an opportunity for Joyce to join his third club when they could not complete a trade with Adelaide to secure contracted defender Nick Murray.
The Irish-raised Joyce has been a useful back-up defender for the all-conquering Brisbane Lions after crossing from St Kilda.
He came into the team whenever injury struck the backline, and although he battled at times at AFL level, he was consistent, and a popular and respected member of the group. He was an emergency in the 2025 grand final team which defeated Geelong.
Joyce has played 27 AFL games since making his debut in 2018.
North Melbourne lodged the paperwork to add the trio with the AFL on Wednesday.
In linking up with the Saints, Stringer has joined his fourth AFL club after 89 games (including the 2016 premiership) at the Western Bulldogs, 123 at Essendon and 38 for GWS.
The 32-year-old kicked 48 goals for the Giants in 2026 but was delisted at the end of the season as the club looked to reset for its next generation to emerge.
Known to commentators as “The Package”, Stringer will add much needed firepower to the Saints, who finished 11th in 2026 without the services of injured spearhead Max King and with Liam Ryan their leading goalkicker with 33 goals.
The 203-centimetre tall Ramsden, 23, who played 11 matches since joining the Hawks in the 2022 mid-season draft, will boost the Saints’ aerial presence up forward and add depth to their ruck division.
Former cricketer Wil Parker also joined Carlton after being delisted by Collingwood.
Swans veteran Harry Cunningham will become a Crow via the rookie draft.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
Hannah Kennelly is an award-winning sports reporter and Formula 1 writer at The Age.Connect via email.
Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.