AFL Player # 7: Indefatigable Zach Merrett (c) - 5 time Crichton Medallist! 🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅

[Beerfish]

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

 

[Shanghaistu]

How about we bring Hird in as non-playing captain? That would make us an innovative club again and anyway it worked for the bulldogs in 2016

 

[fairbump_playon]

How about we bring Hird in as non-playing captain? That would make us an innovative club again and anyway it worked for the bulldogs in 2016

Now that you mention it drafting James Hird makes SO MUCH SENSE

 

[fairbump_playon]

Now that you mention it drafting James Hird makes SO MUCH SENSE

Though a lot of people would want him to go do some stupid apprenticeship as a non-playing vice captain at some other club

 

[I Remember Bluey]

I will just leave this here, so everyone can get used to it

 

[Nifft]

I will just leave this here, so everyone can get used to it


View attachment 1540426

Zach joined the Village People?

 

[Beerfish]

 

[fairbump_playon]

I will just leave this here, so everyone can get used to it


View attachment 1540426

It’s that “Come on lads, bunk with me” vibe.

I like it. Where do I sign.

 

[Nifft]

It’s that “Come on lads, bunk with me” vibe.

I like it. Where do I sign.

 

[Maxabillions]

The latte sippers don’t like his interpersonal skills. BRING HIM IN

 

[I Remember Bluey]

View attachment 1540434

You are showing your age now mate

ps: that's exactly where I got the hat from

 

[Beerfish]

You are showing your age now mate

ps: that's exactly where I got the hat from

I thought so. It's exactly what I thought of when I saw it.

 

[fairbump_playon]

The latte sippers don’t like his interpersonal skills. BRING HIM IN

In tough nut circles he would be known as a weird cat who keeps to himself

Latte sippers are worried he hasn’t yet purchased a vintage typewriter to make cute little personalized motivational cards for his teammates next year

Either way, nothing is screaming “natural captain”

 

[Doss]

How about we bring Hird in as non-playing captain? That would make us an innovative club again and anyway it worked for the bulldogs in 2016

Gary O’Donnell can captain us on drunk Twitter.

 

[Lore]

 

[Happyskeret]

It’s about brainer imo this guy has to be our captain next year. He’s not perfect but he has clearly been our best player the last five years. His 5 dominating weeks in the Brownlow was a reminder of what he is capable of. His leadership style I would expect to be polar opposite to Dyson and I definitely think him and Brad would make a great Cap/Coach. I like when Brad indicated that the coaches would select the leaders opposed to a mediocre group of footballers selecting one (He didn’t say that explicitly) but I knew what he meant.

 

[citizen-erased]

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)

Was possibly in the previous contract given it was his post-ban contract

 

[eth-dog]

Don't think he should be captain at all. I think he's a lesser leader than McGrath comfortably and even the likes of Shiel, Redman, Wright, Draper.

No doubt he'll be captain or vice captain but I still think he shouldn't be.

 

[Lore]

Was possibly in the previous contract given it was his post-ban contract

I meant Merrett's contract that he signed last year... I really don't think Essendon is in the habit of contracting their captaincy though. That's more of a GWS thing

 

[Happyskeret]

Don't think he should be captain at all. I think he's a lesser leader than McGrath comfortably and even the likes of Shiel, Redman, Wright, Draper.

No doubt he'll be captain or vice captain but I still think he shouldn't be.

I could see Redders or Drapes possibly in the future as I think these guys are on the verge of being something special. I’m a bit old school where is see leadership is earnt and not given. I would be surprised if they don’t give Zerret the leadership. The only other one I can see as a long shot is Redders.

 

[eth-dog]

I could see Redders or Drapes possibly in the future as I think these guys are on the verge of being something special. I’m a bit old school where is see leadership is earnt and not given. I would be surprised if they don’t give Zerret the leadership. The only other one I can see as a long shot is Redders.

What has he done to earn it? Played well? A good player doesn't necessarily mean that they'll be a good leader. He's not great defensively, he doesn't take us on his back and drags us over the line, his interpersonal skills aren't great. I just don't see it.

McGrath outstrips him in every facet of leadership from what I've seen. He has to be captain for me and will be a long term one as well.

Merrett being captain over him would be like Zaharakis over Heppell. A bizarre choice.

 

[Happyskeret]

What has he done to earn it? Played well? A good player doesn't necessarily mean that they'll be a good leader. He's not great defensively, he doesn't take us on his back and drags us over the line, his interpersonal skills aren't great. I just don't see it.

McGrath outstrips him in every facet of leadership from what I've seen. He has to be captain for me and will be a long term one as well.

Merrett being captain over him would be like Zaharakis over Heppell. A bizarre choice.

I didn’t say he was perfect but I challenge you to say who’s been a better player than him for us over the last 6 years? I’m guessing your preferred leader is McGrath? Interpersonal skills = talk but what is talk without actions?

 

[Beerfish]

McGrath seems kinda the same to me from the outside as Zach except maybe a bit more personable. Hobbs is the guy that screams captain material but too soon now. Would like to see Redman in the role in the meantime but under no illusions it'll be anyone but Zach.

 

[eth-dog]

I didn’t say he was perfect but I challenge you to say who’s been a better player than him for us over the last 6 years? I’m guessing your preferred leader is McGrath? Interpersonal skills = talk but what is talk without actions?

Of course Merrett's a better player. How many of the best players at their clubs are captain?

Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, Gold Coast, Port, St. Kilda and the Dogs. Less than half the club's.

Again, what leadership has Zach displayed over McGrath at this stage? I can't see it

 

[Happyskeret]

Of course Merrett's a better player. How many of the best players at their clubs are captain?

Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, Gold Coast, Port, St. Kilda and the Dogs. Less than half the club's.

Again, what leadership has Zach displayed over McGrath at this stage? I can't see it

Um he’s a better player and not a natural back flanker I guess

 

[Happyskeret]

Ahh what’s McGrath showed enlighten me