And when he tells those clubs he would rather Hawthorn? How do you think they’ll feel ponying up his draft worth for a bloke that has been very open about only wanting to go to the Hawks
https://x.com/JTD0NS/status/1970654255439847481?t=SPZxGeiG9LY-K-gC28krDw&s=19
Dont know if this has been posted yet but bloody funny and accurate
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I can handle business focused players. It’s not just a job, but it’s a job.
I can not handle business focused captains. The captaincy of a football club isn’t business, it means something.
Zach has tarnished his reputation and we will look very weak if he stays, and absolutely pathetic if he keeps the C.
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Really hope he’s not staying, he’s not going to be able to cope with a bottom 4 finish next year and a couple of big losses, he will be poison to the playing group.
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The only reason Welsh has said Merrett is staying is because you need to set a position of power from which to negotiate from. You can’t say, “yeah we will trade him” and then ask for 3 first rounders. Hawks need to come and prize him out with a good offer. It’s clear as day to most people, except those with a little too much passion blinding them.
Then there’s the media position of picking what suits their narrative at any given time.
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4 year contract in place. Only Essendon can screw Essendon.
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When you goal is to increase the value of a scarce commodity that another party wants to buy. You first must convince the market the commodity is not for sale, you couldn’t possibly sell this special thing, it’s precious to you.
Any would be buyer of the commodity especially one that has publicly declared they will buy it, now realises its value has increased. This is price discovery.
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I don’t mind Bucks, but that statement’s way over the top.
That said, I don’t want Merrett here next year. It’s a strain on the club and we look like cucks to keep him , don’t care how good he is.
Fresh start.
Unfortunately this doesn’t seem like posturing by Welsh. It’s fine to be strong, but that was way too definitive. He’ll look stupid to walk this back…unless more comes out.
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He still here?
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A good post and there is much in it l agree with. A couple of points don’t tally with what l have observed of Merrett for over a decade.
- He does lead by example on field and at training, where is preparation is recorded as being meticulous.
- He has always led by example.
The issue is not enough players on the list have been prepared to follow his example. That could very well be a failure of his leadership, but is just as likely to be a failure of the individuals on the list.
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The gap is in engagement. He’s has always highly valued his own preparation but he has not done well to instill this in others. Leadership requires relationship building to allow the people you lead to care enough about the way any group wants to achieve their goals. Merrett simply setting an example as high as he has is not leadership in and of itself, it’s just setting an example. It’s on the coaches and the leadership group of players to set standards, motivate the group to achieve them and then ensure the standards are followed. That whole piece of the club is broken from selection integrity from the coaches down to Merrett effectively siloing himself into a pocket where his example isn’t motivating for others it’s just “that thing Merrett does, because he’s Merrett”.
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Great post @Strewth
All about RESPECT.
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For someone with a lot of ego, self-importance and so image conscious (as we are finding more about in recent weeks) to now have the likes of Buckley & Sheedy come out publicly and bag him … it just underlines how poorly Merrett has handled the whole situation.
It would kill him to know his reputation is forever tarnished. But you’ve made your bed, now lie in it.
Time to go.
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This may be true, but a collective improvement by the team will see us in a much better position than relying on one player.
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If he stays, I’ll boo him
Do not want this captain schettino imposter at our club
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He’s also very close to 30 and his eliteness will only last for a handful of years.
I would completely agree if we were currently vying for finals but we’re not. Go with our blessing.
It saddens me that his legacy at the club will be viewed as we still soon be, without merit.
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How old are Paddy and Jezza???
So…… the daily gift from Bombers today is…… Captain “lead by my example “ who was exposed as cheating on the club, and thats excactly what meeting with Hawthorn under the circumstances was, has now been caught out for another affair. This time, it’s with ■■■■■■■ Collingwood!…. And through managers? Nope, the ■■■■■■■ coach! As per my previous posts I try to stay glass half full re this crap, to maintain a sense of sanity and hope, but seriously, that light in the tunnell is getting closer and I can hear the toot toot and the driver is licking his lips! Ive added so much sugar to this pig ■■■■■ to try to make jam out of this but it ain’t working folks. All starting to make sense why he was dropped from the leadership group some time back, no doubt one of these type of indiscretions made its way back to the club and he was punished. Now hes the captain and still moonlighting. I think that’s it for me for Zach, get the trade done, hopefully we get something decent out if it.
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Remember the uproar (from media & Essendon community) about 5-6 years ago when he wasn’t voted into the leadership group?
The story always comes out… eventually.
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