AFL Player # 7: Indefatigable Zach Merrett (c) - Not going anywhere

[Beerfish]

Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent 2027
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 10, I Remember Bluey

 

[Bipolar Bear]

I want that looney tunes jumper

Space Jam, surely?

 

[citizen-erased]

Space Jam, surely?

Then pass

 

[BuffDog]

Someone looks rather happy View attachment 1522435

Looks like he’s been told he’s our next captain

 

[Albertross]

I want that looney tunes jumper

7% off from the Bomber shop!

 

[I Remember Bluey]

Happy Birthday Zachy.

 

[Lore]

 

[Lore]

I really want to see Zach step up and put in 100% every week. You really want that from every player, but I think Zach needs to lead by example if he's given the captaincy next year.

Who is Essendon's most important player culturally? Dons' burning questions for 2023

“He is the next captain, they’ll make that call this year you’d think.”

www.sen.com.au

And for once, where Kane Cornes is concerned, no hyperbole needed.

 

[TheWeapon]

I think he is one who would flourish with being captain, would set much higher standards than Heppell I'm sure

 

[andleanback]

I think he is one who would flourish with being captain, would set much higher standards than Heppell I'm sure

Really lacks in the interpersonal skills department though

 

[Nifft]

I think he is one who would flourish with being captain, would set much higher standards than Heppell I'm sure

I'd like to see him named captain sooner rather than later. Get everyone used to the idea that there's a new person in charge of the leadership group. That way he can also look after any speaking engagements or comments that the captain would be doing.

The VCs/leadership group can wait till right before proper season starts though. Let everyone know they're a chance and the group will be chosen on merit.

 

[DERO]

Really lacks in the interpersonal skills department though

Out of curiosity, is there anything in particular that you are basing this on?

 

[ghostdog]

I'd like to see him named captain sooner rather than later. Get everyone used to the idea that there's a new person in charge of the leadership group. That way he can also look after any speaking engagements or comments that the captain would be doing.

The VCs/leadership group can wait till right before proper season starts though. Let everyone know they're a chance and the group will be chosen on merit.

I'm not convinced that Zach is the kind of player who knows how to get the rest of them to follow his lead. Is he really that guy?, the guy who says 'come on boys, let's bring it home' and everyone lifts because they believe in him and they know they should?

 

[andleanback]

Out of curiosity, is there anything in particular that you are basing this on?

It’s what I’ve been told regularly over the years from members of the playing group

 

[Vander18]

I remain very concerned that EFC are confusing best player with best leader.

Based on who is at the club, and I’m not saying it’s optimal, I would be looking at Jake Kelly

29

Jake Kelly

Age

30

Ht

190cm

Wt

90kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.5

4star

K

8.3

3star

HB

6.3

4star

M

4.6

4star

T

2.6

4star

MG

157.8

2star

D

8.1

2star

K

6.3

3star

HB

1.9

1star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.6

4star

MG

104.1

2star

D

14.8

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

5.8

4star

M

6.0

5star

T

4.2

5star

MG

107.0

2star

to be a Tom Harley/Nick Maxwell

Nick Maxwell

Age

42

Ht

193cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.5

4star

K

7.8

3star

HB

6.7

4star

M

4.6

4star

T

3.4

5star

No current season stats available

D

14.0

4star

K

8.4

4star

HB

5.6

4star

M

4.8

5star

T

3.0

5star

type skipper until a better option emerges.

 

[Lore]

I remain very concerned that EFC are confusing best player with best leader.

Based on who is at the club, and I’m not saying it’s optimal, I would be looking at Jake Kelly to be a Tom Harley/Nick Maxwell type skipper until a better option emerges.

Given Brad Scott will seemingly be appointing the leadership group and the captain (and seems to favour a handover prior to the last season of the previous captain) I think we can be sure that it won't be Heppell, and that whatever decision he makes will not necessarily be the one anointed by previous media departments.

If he gets the gig it would be because he's the best available person for it... unless it's written in a contract somewhere (I don't think it is though)

 

[andleanback]

Given Brad Scott will seemingly be appointing the leadership group and the captain (and seems to favour a handover prior to the last season of the previous captain) I think we can be sure that it won't be Heppell, and that whatever decision he makes will not necessarily be the one anointed by previous media departments.

If he gets the gig it would be because he's the best available person for it... unless it's written in a contract somewhere (I don't think it is though)

Players should always have a say in leadership / captain appointments.

 

[DERO]

It’s what I’ve been told regularly over the years from members of the playing group

If not Zach, who do you reckon?

 

[andleanback]

If not Zach, who do you reckon?

I think they should go for co captains.
Pair Mcgrath with merrett, take the pressure off both of them. Merrett can lead through performance on game day and Mcgrath is the better day to day guy.

 

[jmoo wan]

co-captains is such a cop-out. it’s saying you are both useless but you’re the best we have.

 

[DERO]

co-captains is such a cop-out. it’s saying you are both useless but you’re the best we have.

Pretty much why i suggested it.

 

[Old Campaigner]

If not Zach, who do you reckon?

He's the best person for the time being but in a couple of years Hobbs will probably be ready to take over

 

[Vander18]

Given Brad Scott will seemingly be appointing the leadership group and the captain (and seems to favour a handover prior to the last season of the previous captain) I think we can be sure that it won't be Heppell, and that whatever decision he makes will not necessarily be the one anointed by previous media departments.

If he gets the gig it would be because he's the best available person for it... unless it's written in a contract somewhere (I don't think it is though)

Football clubs make mistakes you know….it has been known to happen.

 

[andleanback]

co-captains is such a cop-out. it’s saying you are both useless but you’re the best we have.

So Sydney using co-captains is a cop out? Gold Coast also have witts and Miller, both really good leaders.

 

[Nifft]

So Sydney using co-captains is a cop out? Gold Coast also have witts and Miller, both really good leaders.

Sydney are an outlier, they have a really good culture already. I wouldn't copy anything from GC.

 

[jmoo wan]

So Sydney using co-captains is a cop out? Gold Coast also have witts and Miller, both really good leaders.

this is the second time you’ve responded earnestly to one of my comments recently - can you please stop doing this, it makes me feel uncomfortable?