Hawks coach has face-to-face meeting with Merrett

6 days ago 6

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Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell and Essendon captain Zach Merrett have met face-to-face amid reports that the skipper is unhappy at the Bombers and keen for a move to a new club.

Two competition sources have confirmed that Merrett and Mitchell met face-to-face after the Bombers’ season finished, with the Essendon skipper moving closer to the exit at Tullamarine.

Hawthorn are desperate to add class to their midfield next season. Jai Newcombe has emerged a potential A-grader but is seen as a more inside bull, while Will Day continues to battle a lingering foot injury.

Mitchell was coy when pressed about Merrett on Wednesday morning ahead of his team’s final training session before heading to Adelaide for a semi-final against the Crows.

“I’m not sure, you’ll have to talk to the list management guys about that. I hope that they are working behind the scenes to improve our list. That’s what their job is and I hope they’re going about that,” he said.

“It’s not really a focus for right this minute, but I think improving our list is what every club is doing. Everyone is trying to figure out how we can be better in 2026 than we were in 2025.

Merrett is contracted for two more seasons at Essendon.

The superstar midfielder, who turns 30 next month, is set to win his sixth Crichton Medal and is already one of the most decorated players in the history of the club.

Merrett has been contacted for comment.

More to come.