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Andrew McGrath was the first to reach out to Zach Merrett. He knew Merrett was frustrated and angry, and putting club allegiances aside, just wanted his mate to know that.
New Bombers president Andrew Welsh also contacted him, according to an industry source, and others were torn between giving the Essendon captain his distance and starting the process of smoothing what will be an uncomfortable return to the club.
Zach Merrett remains at Essendon after a failed trade bid.Credit: AFL Photos
Merrett was left to have to return to the Bombers after the club made it clear to Hawthorn in the dying hours of the trade period they would only entertain an offer of four first-round draft picks and a future second-rounder.
It was a demand Hawthorn considered “ridiculous”.
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The Bombers were surprised Hawthorn had taken until Monday afternoon to contact them directly with a Merrett offer, and were not be prepared to meaningfully discuss Hawthorn players in a trade outside of fringe midfielder Henry Hustwaite.
“Only Essendon can answer how close [the deal came] – they had the power of that final decision. In the end we offered a compelling offer, but they didn’t want to take it,” Hawthorn’s head of football Rob McCartney said on Trade Radio on Thursday.
“If you listen to the narrative, it was that it needed to be an exceptional offer that was put in front of Essendon. In the end we felt we did that, but we just weren’t prepared to agree to a ridiculous one.”
Relations between the clubs are poor.
“Hawthorn and Essendon have never loved each other”, McCartney said, adding there was still respect between the clubs.
Despite vision of Merrett’s manager Tom Petroro ranting in the Hawthorn room just before the trade deadline on Wednesday night, seemingly angry with the Hawks for not getting a deal done, the images gave a misleading impression. In the footage Petroro was actually venting angrily about Essendon to Hawthorn, according to a source with knowledge of what was said.
Bombers stars Zach Merrett and Andrew McGrath during happier times earlier this year.Credit: AFL Photos
Petroro also manages Essendon pair Nate Caddy and Isaac Kako, which will make for interesting contract negotiations with them.
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Petroro had warned Essendon repeatedly during the trade period that the club could expect to be in the same situation in 12 months’ time, with the star player still wanting out but with his trade price diminished.
Hawthorn’s best offer for Merrett was three first-round draft picks – 10 and 22 this year, and a first-rounder next year – and Henry Hustwaite.
Essendon CEO Craig Vozzo said he sympathised with Merrett’s frustrations and his desire for change and improvement on the field at the club.
“Zach made his frustration known, and we share his hunger to be better. He is the ultimate competitor and professional – that is why we love him and want him back inside our club,” Vozzo said.
“We share his aspirations for the club.
“Clearly there was a lot of emotion through the period that was difficult for both parties.
“From our point of view, the difficulty arose from the fact we have such a high regard for him as a person and player.”
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