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Christian Petracca landed at Gold Coast on a deal that was exceptional for the Demons. Charlie Curnow was granted his wish, just 15 minutes before the deadline, in what must be considered a more than fair trade for Carlton.
But as the clock hit 7.30pm on Wednesday evening, Zach Merrett was stranded at Tullamarine, like millions of commuters, in what was the most dramatic and consequential of dealings in 2025.
Zach Merrett wanted out of Essendon, but it wasn’t to be.Credit: Getty Images
The non-trading of Merrett was an earthquake, which was followed by three smaller aftershocks – the stranding of Rowan Marshall, Callum Ah Chee and Buku Khamis.
The ripples from Merrett’s failure to land at Hawthorn – or for those parties to reach an accommodation, amid acrimony – will spread into 2026 and beyond, as the Bombers seek to repair a damaged relationship with their soon-to-be ex-skipper.
Some day in pre-season Merrett will have to stand before his teammates and clear the air that has been fouled somewhat by his attempted escape, and by the leg irons Essendon put on him. The AFL can be counted on to take advantage of this discord by fixturing the Bombers and Hawks for round one (again).
For Essendon president Andrew Welsh – the most important voice in the Essendon-Hawthorn wrangling – the unwillingness to let Merrett leave was a post-season version of “the line in the sand”, some 21 years after he played in that violent eruption between the clubs.
Welsh had boldly stated that Merrett would stay at Essendon, and he didn’t leave much wriggle room. It was evident that when Hawthorn began assembling a package that Welsh and the Bomber board would be the higher power that would determine whether this went through; the football department would have a say, but not the final say.
Hawthorn’s best final throw at the stumps was an earnest attempt to improve on an inadequate first offer. They put up picks 10 and 22 and a future first round (2026), plus the garnish of Henry Hustwaite.
The Essendon final demand of four first rounders was so exorbitant that one can only conclude – as the Hawks did – that the Bombers were not going to trade their man, unless they were given a completely stupid offer, along the lines of Alan Bond’s purchase of Channel Nine from Kerry Packer.
Hawthorn was slower off the mark than Geoff Boycott, and their refusal to deal reasonable players made it harder. Perhaps, only too late they fully grasped what Welsh’s intervention foretold – that whereas Petracca and Curnow were football decisions, Essendon’s Merrett position was political and personal.
The Bombers were making a stand, after years of own goals and were insisting on not simply a premium for the disruption caused by Hawthorn’s attempt to take Merrett, but a capital gains tax on top.
It really was a line in the sand. By 2028 or 2029, we should have an idea of whether their stand was justified. It’s worth remembering that Hawthorn were flogged in that line in the sand game, but took major strides thereafter; Essendon haven’t won a final since that season.
Hawthorn entered this trade period knowing they were two midfielders short of the Brisbane Lions and Geelong in the finals. They will gain only one of those mids if and when Will Day is back and healthy. Sam Mitchell, who did so well in seducing Merrett, will need to find another way in 2026 and, if not, then in next year’s post-season.
Would the Hawks have been better to bet on Petracca, or even Jordan De Goey? Possibly.
Petracca’s decision to choose the Suns was fortunate for both him and the Demons, who reaped the benefits (picks seven and eight and a future first) of dealing with a club that had academy recruits lined up and could match draft bids with the second round choices that Melbourne gave back.
Rightly, Melbourne list boss Tim Lamb called the Petracca haul “an outstanding result for the club.” The Demons will not compete for the flag next year and are unlikely to in 2027, but they have a new cultural and youthful foundation after Petracca and Clayton Oliver (sold to GWS) have gone.
Carlton fared well in the Curnow deal (three first rounds and Will Hayward), and their situation is not dissimilar to the Demons, but with this important caveat: Michael Voss has less runway for a list refresh than new Melbourne coach Steven King.
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Jy Simpkin’s non-trade to Collingwood, like the Magpies’ offer, barely registered. Two captains have left (Oscar Allen leaving for the Lions as a free agent), two were left at the altar.
So, Essendon took a hard line, the Saints wouldn’t cough up Marshall to Geelong, and Brisbane were tough in holding Ah Chee. The Bulldogs were typically dogmatic in not letting Khamis leave for Carlton.
Four players were held against their will. For the first time in a long time, the clubs pushed back players’ demands – especially those under contract.
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