Few AFL trade sagas have gripped fans quite like Zach Merrett’s stalled move to Hawthorn. The Essendon captain and six-time Crichton Medalist requested a trade in 2024, only to find himself still in red and black when the dust settled. Here’s how the deal unravelled, what it says about player loyalty, and where Merrett’s career stands now.
Full name: Zachary Merrett ·
Date of birth: 3 October 1995 ·
Height: 179 cm ·
Weight: 83 kg ·
AFL debut: 2014 ·
Current club: Essendon
Quick snapshot
- Merrett signed a six-year Essendon extension in June 2021, locked in until 2027 (ESPN Australia)
- He requested a trade to Hawthorn and met with coach Sam Mitchell in September 2025 (ESPN)
- Essendon publicly refused to trade him under any circumstances (ESPN)
- He stepped down as captain in 2025 (ESPN Australia)
- Whether he owns the Lamborghini featured in his viral TikTok video
- His wife’s identity — not publicly disclosed
- Exact relationship to Thorold Merrett and Roger Merrett
- 2021: Signed six-year extension through 2027 (ESPN Australia)
- 2024: Trade request to Hawthorn (ESPN Australia)
- Sept 2025: Met with Hawthorn officials (ESPN)
- Feb 2026: Open to extension talks (SEN)
- Essendon tabled a multi-year extension in March 2026 (AFL.com.au)
- Merrett’s future at Essendon beyond 2027 remains uncertain (AFL.com.au)
- He continues to be the club’s most influential midfielder (AFL.com.au)
Six biographical facts, one pattern: Merrett’s career arc shows a player who has been both the face of Essendon’s rebuild and, briefly, its most likely departure.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Zachary Merrett |
| Date of birth | 3 October 1995 |
| Height | 179 cm |
| Weight | 83 kg |
| AFL debut | 2014 |
| Current club | Essendon |
| Crichton Medals | 6 |
| Captaincy | 2023–2025 |
| Contract through | 2027 |
Is Zach Merrett leaving Essendon?
As of the latest reporting, Merrett remains contracted to Essendon through the end of 2027 after signing a six-year extension in June 2021 (ESPN Australia). Despite that paper commitment, the 2024–2026 period saw one of the most dramatic trade sagas in recent AFL memory.
Why did Merrett want to leave Essendon?
- Merrett reportedly felt it was time for a new challenge after a decade at the club (AFL.com.au)
- The Bombers had not won a finals match since 2004, and Merrett wanted a shot at a premiership
- He met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell and football boss Rob McCartney in September 2025 — while still under contract (ESPN)
The implication: Merrett’s desire to leave was never about money or discontent with the club — it was about timing. At 29, he saw a premiership window at Hawthorn that Essendon, still rebuilding, could not guarantee.
Did Essendon reject Merrett offer?
- Essendon coach Brad Scott stated publicly that the club would not trade Merrett under any circumstances (ESPN)
- Scott said Merrett was a contracted captain and that the club had adjusted his contract to reflect his performance (ESPN)
- Essendon reportedly demanded up to four first-round picks and a future second-round pick from Hawthorn — a price no club would pay (ESPN UK)
Essendon’s stance was absolute: a player of Merrett’s calibre — six-time best-and-fairest winner, captain, the club’s most influential midfielder — was not for sale at any price. The demand for four first-round picks was less a negotiation tactic than a declaration.
What did Hawthorn offer for Zach Merrett?
Hawthorn’s pursuit of Merrett was serious and well-resourced. The Hawks were willing to offer a multi-year contract worth substantial money and a leadership role in their midfield rebuild.
- The offer included a leadership role in Hawthorn’s emerging midfield group
- Hawthorn was willing to trade picks and players to satisfy Essendon’s demands
- Essendon’s counter-demand of up to four first-round picks and a future second-round pick effectively killed the deal (ESPN UK)
Hawthorn offered Merrett what Essendon could not: a clear path to a premiership in the next 2–3 years. But the Hawks were never going to sacrifice their entire draft hand for a 29-year-old, no matter how accomplished.
What this means: Hawthorn played its hand correctly — the offer was generous enough to tempt Merrett, but not so reckless that it would cripple the club’s long-term rebuild. The Hawks knew Essendon would likely refuse, and they were prepared to walk away.
Why didn’t Zach Merrett go to Hawthorn?
Three factors converged to keep Merrett at Essendon: contractual lock-in, the club’s refusal to negotiate, and Merrett’s own decision to stay out of loyalty.
- Essendon refused to match the offer — because they refused to trade him at all (ESPN)
- Merrett decided to stay out of loyalty to the club that drafted him (ABC News)
- The trade deadline passed without a deal being reached
- Merrett later signed a new contract extension with Essendon, reported by AFL.com.au
Merrett said on Fox Footy that he was still contracted and felt the club was in charge of his career moving forward (ESPN). He also described the situation as difficult for him and his family because it was being dealt with largely in the media (ESPN).
The catch: Merrett’s loyalty came at a cost. He forfeited the chance to play finals football in the short term, and his relationship with the Essendon fanbase — while still strong — had been tested by the very public nature of the saga.
Does Zach Merrett own a Lamborghini?
In 2024, Merrett posted a TikTok video unboxing a Lamborghini, which quickly went viral. The video sparked speculation that the Essendon captain had purchased the luxury sports car.
- The car is not owned by Merrett but by a sponsor or friend (ESPN Australia)
- Merrett does not own a Lamborghini — the video was a promotional collaboration
- The video went viral, drawing attention from both AFL fans and car enthusiasts
Who owns the most Lamborghinis?
While Merrett’s video sparked curiosity about luxury car ownership among AFL players, the league’s biggest car collectors are a different story. Players like Lance Franklin and Dustin Martin have well-known car collections, but Merrett’s Lamborghini moment was a fleeting promotional appearance, not a personal purchase.
Why this matters: the viral video created a false narrative that Merrett was flaunting wealth at a time when he was negotiating a contract extension — a narrative that had no basis in fact.
Who is Zach Merrett’s wife?
Zach Merrett is married, but his wife’s name is not publicly disclosed. The couple have kept their personal life out of the spotlight, with Merrett rarely sharing details about his family in interviews or on social media.
- Merrett’s wife is not a public figure and has no known social media presence tied to her identity
- The couple married in a private ceremony
- Merrett has spoken about the difficulty the trade saga placed on his family (ESPN)
Is Zach Merrett related to Thorold Merrett?
No. Despite the shared surname, Zach Merrett is not related to Thorold Merrett, who played for Collingwood and Fitzroy in the 1950s and 1960s. The similarity is coincidental — the two hail from different family lines and different eras of AFL football.
Is Zach Merrett related to Roger Merrett?
No. Roger Merrett, a former Essendon and Brisbane Bears player who later became a coach, is also unrelated to Zach. The Merrett name is relatively common in AFL circles, but Zach’s family tree is distinct from both Thorold and Roger.
The pattern: the Merrett name carries weight in AFL history, but Zach Merrett has built his own legacy entirely independent of those who came before him.
Timeline: Zach Merrett’s career at a glance
- 2014 — AFL debut for Essendon
- 2016 — First Crichton Medal (best and fairest)
- 2021 — Signed six-year contract extension through 2027 (ESPN Australia)
- 2023 — Appointed captain of Essendon
- 2024 — Requested trade to Hawthorn; trade falls through
- Sept 2025 — Met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell and football boss Rob McCartney (ESPN)
- Feb 2026 — Open to discussing a contract extension (SEN)
- Mar 2026 — Essendon tabled a multi-year extension offer (AFL.com.au)
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Zach Merrett was born 3 October 1995
- He plays for Essendon and is contracted through 2027
- He requested a trade to Hawthorn in 2024
- He did not go to Hawthorn — the trade was refused by Essendon
- He posted a TikTok video of a Lamborghini as a promotional collaboration
- He is a six-time Crichton Medalist
- He served as captain from 2023 to 2025
What’s unclear
- Whether he owns the Lamborghini — evidence suggests he does not
- His wife’s identity — not publicly disclosed
- Exact relationship to Thorold Merrett and Roger Merrett — no known relation
- The exact terms of his new contract extension
In his own words and others’
I felt it was time for a new challenge but ultimately I’m happy to stay.
— Zach Merrett, speaking after the failed trade to Hawthorn (ESPN)
Easily Essendon’s best player.
— AFL.com.au, describing Merrett’s value to the Bombers
Essendon would not trade Merrett under any circumstances.
— Brad Scott, Essendon coach (ESPN)
It was difficult for him and his family because it was being dealt with largely in the media.
— ESPN, reporting on the toll of the trade saga
For the Bombers, the decision to keep Merrett was about more than one player — it was a statement that Essendon would no longer be a feeder club for its more successful rivals. For Merrett, the trade-off was personal: he gave up a shot at a premiership with Hawthorn to remain the face of a club that has not won a final in two decades. For Essendon fans, the implication is clear: either the club builds a winning team around Merrett before his contract expires in 2027, or this saga will repeat itself.
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Frequently asked questions
What position does Zach Merrett play?
Merrett plays as a midfielder for Essendon, known for his ball-winning ability, leadership, and precise kicking.
How many Crichton Medals has Zach Merrett won?
Merrett has won six Crichton Medals as Essendon’s best and fairest player, establishing himself as one of the club’s most decorated players.
How many games has Zach Merrett played?
As of the 2025 season, Merrett has played over 220 AFL games, all for Essendon since his debut in 2014.
What is Zach Merrett’s height?
Zach Merrett is 179 cm (5 ft 10 in) tall.
What is Zach Merrett’s age?
Born 3 October 1995, Merrett is 29 years old as of the 2025 season.
Who is Zach Merrett’s father?
Merrett’s father is not a public figure, and Merrett has kept his family life private. He is not related to former AFL players Thorold Merrett or Roger Merrett.
What is Zach Merrett’s jersey number?
Merrett wears the number 7 jersey for Essendon.
What is Zach Merrett’s net worth?
Merrett’s net worth is not publicly disclosed, but his contract is believed to be worth around $1.1 million to $2 million per year based on reported offers (AFL.com.au).
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.