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

 

[MiguelM]

Literally only reason he played midfield so long was because he was streets ahead of Parish, Merrett and Shiel defensively.

He had a head on a swivel because he was covering the rest of the front runners.

I did see a glimpse of Parish tackling with intent in the GC game.

Being defensive is great but you don't want to kill the offence either. If you have the ball then the opposition don't! Key is what you actually do with it when you have it and that is where scoreboard pressure is king.

 

[ant555]

Literally only reason he played midfield so long was because he was streets ahead of Parish, Merrett and Shiel defensively.

He had a head on a swivel because he was covering the rest of the front runners.

Do not agree his defense was anything special in the midfield. Better than a few others yes but he spent mnay games jogging up the field after the horse had bolted too.

 

[I Remember Bluey]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-captains-day-zach-merrett-responds-to-essendon-criticism-darcy-moore-on-jordan-de-goey/news-story/6f94a51fd2679a977ba4d5cbbb350b4e

AFL captain’s day: Zach Merrett driving Brad Scott’s standards at the Bombers​

Essendon captain Zach Merrett is driving higher standards at the Bombers, plus he thinks Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti

43

Anthony...

Age

31

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171cm

Wt

78kg

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Fwd

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12.6

3star

K

7.6

3star

HB

5.1

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

3.9

5star

G

1.1

4star

D

8.7

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

4.2

3star

M

1.7

2star

T

3.8

4star

G

1.2

5star

D

16.8

4star

K

9.6

4star

HB

7.2

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

3.2

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0.0

1star

’s return to the club could be a huge asset ‘if we can get him back fit’.


Essendon captain Zach Merrett says he is determined to help Brad Scott drive greater standards of professionalism as the first-year coach urged his young squad to seize their chance on an AFL list.

The Dons football review recommended the “need to drive higher standards” and greater levels of fitness, with most Essendon players on board with that message over summer.
Scott is believed to have told players in recent weeks that as much as a work-life balance was critical, they needed to keep focusing on professional standards and redouble their efforts to the Essendon cause.

He has told them he will leave no stone unturned to support them at a club that has dramatically boosted its development coaches in a year that will have plenty of growing pains.

New Essendon skipper Zach Merrett leads the team out for the first time. Picture: Michael Klein

Asked about that message, new captain Merrett said it was all part of the balance of growing up quickly in an AFL environment.
“I think it‘s off the back of Covid. And having a lot of younger guys, they probably don’t know what they don’t know yet,” Merrett said.

“It’s a lot different to being an Under-18 TAC Cup (Coates Talent League) player. It’s a great opportunity to educate them and do it right now. We have a lot more resources in development than in the past so hopefully that translates into guys being able to perform at their best and reach their potential as quickly as they can.

“Clarko (Alastair Clarkson) talked about it a few weeks ago at North Melbourne. It’s
just a small period of our life that we get to do this dream job of ours. That comes with some amazing perks but it’s a hard, ruthless game. I think he’s just reminding us that if you are five per cent or one per cent off you just don’t win in this game any more.

“We just want to give guys every opportunity to make the right decision and educate them, but ultimately it’s on the players to take that and run with it and make the most of themselves.”

Essendon takes on Hawthorn next week hoping to showcase a more balanced game plan mixing strong defence and quick-fire attack, with Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti

43

Anthony...

Age

31

Ht

171cm

Wt

78kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.6

3star

K

7.6

3star

HB

5.1

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

3.9

5star

G

1.1

4star

D

8.7

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

4.2

3star

M

1.7

2star

T

3.8

4star

G

1.2

5star

D

16.8

4star

K

9.6

4star

HB

7.2

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

3.2

5star

G

0.0

1star

a chance to make his return.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti

43

Anthony...

Age

31

Ht

171cm

Wt

78kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.6

3star

K

7.6

3star

HB

5.1

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

3.9

5star

G

1.1

4star

D

8.7

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

4.2

3star

M

1.7

2star

T

3.8

4star

G

1.2

5star

D

16.8

4star

K

9.6

4star

HB

7.2

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

3.2

5star

G

0.0

1star

and Zach Merrett at Essendon training at the Hanger, Tullamarine. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

He has barely missed a session after walking away from football last year and Merrett said his comeback was inspiring to fans and players alike.
“As AFL players you know the responsibility that comes with how much you can grow the game and inspire people. Walla is something in the top bracket of that,” he said.

“And to see the impact he has on all of our fans in particular but also footy fans is great.
“We went to Bendigo for community camp, and everyone just wanted a Tipungwuti photo, or just to say hello or have a high five.
“His ability to connect with all the fans whether Essendon or neutral is amazing. So having him back for that sense is awesome.

For selfish reasons it’s super exciting. He is one of the few players when you are on the field where you can feel the rise of the crowd and you feel terms getting nervous around him. So if we can get him back fit and firing and playing it’s certainly going to be a massive asset for us.”

 

[I Remember Bluey]

As you all know I am not one to pump up Merrett to near nausea levels like some others, so I thought I would give credit where it is deserved and post this extract from one of the most respected jurno's in the business Callum Twomey.

Who holds the keys to success? Your club's most important player​

Zach Merrett

Merrett is the Bombers' new captain, a two-time All-Australian and three-time best and fairest winner at the club, so is the most accomplished player at Essendon.

But he's also the Bombers' most important player – he brings another level of class and polish to their ball movement and his precise kicking inside 50 makes him the player opposition clubs have targeted with attention through the midfield.

The 27-year-old takes on the role as Essendon skipper with his game at a very high and consistent level. – Callum Twomey

 

[HirdsTheWord]

He’s better defensively than all of McGrath, Parish and Langford, imo. And considering we need the ball in his hands because of how good his disposal is, I’m okay with him not being our best defensive midfielder.

being the best and putting in the effort are two different things.

Merrett is now in the position to drive standards he himself has said he wants. Bucks stops with him on the field, let's see what he brings in 23.

 

[Petrify]

Id say he passed the first lead by example test with flying colors.

 

[VelvetSledge]

Pushed hard by Maginness in the first quarter but managed to shake him by going to other influential players at the stoppage and losing him in the traffic.

Really astute preparation as a player, but huge game as a leader. 29 touches after such a heavy tag is mental.

What a star.

 

[Runk]

Pushed hard by Maginness in the first quarter but managed to shake him by going to other influential players at the stoppage and losing him in the traffic.

Really astute preparation as a player, but huge game as a leader. 29 touches after such a heavy tag is mental.

What a star.

100% this

That was a defining game imho for him

 

[BomberManU]

Tackle, chase, smother. Love it.

 

[citizen-erased]

Pushed hard by Maginness in the first quarter but managed to shake him by going to other influential players at the stoppage and losing him in the traffic.

Really astute preparation as a player, but huge game as a leader. 29 touches after such a heavy tag is mental.

What a star.

i think he'll grow as captain to deal with this sort of attention because he has to.
Not sure the Suns will send someone to run with him but it will be the stronger taggers in Rowbottom/Lyons that really test him.

Job for the rest of the midfield is to protect him. i.e. Shiel to play a negative role on the tagger and interrupting them.

 

[andleanback]

Can’t read as I don’t have access
Start of the article
‘In a candid assessment of Merrett’s considerable strengths and weaknesses, Scott said Merrett’s will to win was without peer and the Bombers wanted him to be a role model for behaviours at the club. But he said Merrett would be disappointed if his expectations were that others could perform to his high standards.’

 

[yodellinhank]

Yeah we can't go trying to impose standards.

 

[andleanback]

Yeah we can't go trying to impose standards.

There is a fine line between being demanding of standards as captain and just being a constant prick

 

[The Devils Advocate]

There is a fine line between being demanding of standards as captain and just being a constant prick

If you're not a competitive person, you always view competitive people as pricks.
If we don't have competitive people at the club, they've gotta go.
Merrett and Redman are perfect leaders for competitive people.

 

[faible]

If you're not a competitive person, you always view competitive people as pricks.
If we don't have competitive people at the club, they've gotta go.
Merrett and Redman are perfect leaders for competitive people.

It's important to get the balance right to take people with you, someone like Hodge or Selwood were competitive animals but knew how to take people along with them. Someone like GAJ fractured the playing group.

 

[andleanback]

It's important to get the balance right to take people with you, someone like Hodge or Selwood were competitive animals but knew how to take people along with them. Someone like GAJ fractured the playing group.

^^^
And as much as those too good be captain grumpys at times, they were also widely loved and respected from the whole playing group because they had such good interpersonal skills. Need to be able to communicate with your team mates well to get your message across.

 

[yodellinhank]

^^^
And as much as those too good be captain grumpys at times, they were also widely loved and respected from the whole playing group because they had such good interpersonal skills. Need to be able to communicate with your team mates well to get your message across.

Michael Jordan has 6 NBA Championships. Dyson Heppell hasn't any.

 

[faible]

Michael Jordan has 6 NBA Championships. Dyson Heppell hasn't any.

Merrett is good, but he's not Jordan good.

 

[andleanback]

Michael Jordan has 6 NBA Championships. Dyson Heppell hasn't any.

What’s that got to do with anything, I literally just said hodge and selwood are as fierce as afl leaders we’ve seen in recent history, yet they were respected and loved by the playing group. NBA is a totally different sport, can’t compare afl to it, totally different realms. and at the same time the modern day great team has a leader of Stephen curry, who is much more heppell than he is Jordan.

 

[I Remember Bluey]

‘You walk a fine line’: Scott on the risk around Merrett’s captaincy

Essendon coach Brad Scott has revealed that the Bombers do not want new skipper Zach Merrett to become too demanding of teammates, acknowledging that there was a risk of the highly motivated Merrett acting as “an enforcer”.

www.theage.com.au

‘You walk a fine line’: Scott on the risk around Merrett’s captaincy​

By Jake Niall​

March 21, 2023 — 11.41am

Essendon coach Brad Scott has revealed that the Bombers do not want new skipper Zach Merrett to become too demanding of teammates, acknowledging that there was a risk of the highly motivated Merrett acting as “an enforcer”.

In a candid assessment of Merrett’s considerable strengths and weaknesses, Scott said Merrett’s will to win was without peer and the Bombers wanted him to be a role model for behaviours at the club. But he said Merrett would be disappointed if his expectations were that others could perform to his high standards.

Lead by example: New Essendon captain Zach Merrett.Credit:AFL Photos

“I’ve come across some competitors in my time with a will to win. I haven’t come across anyone with more of a will to win than Zach,” Scott told The Age, prior to the Dons’ huge round one victory over Hawthorn.

“Now that is clearly an admirable trait – that desperation to win and trying to be demanding of your teammates, which to some extent is important.

“You walk a fine line … because Zach can do things that not many players can do. If his expectations are that everyone should be able to perform to a level he can, then he’s going to be disappointed.”

Scott explained what the Bombers expected of Merrett as the new captain in a club seeking to change its culture.

Zach Merrett is Essendon’s 41st captain after being announced as Dyson Heppell’s replacement

“So it’s straddling that space between being a really supportive leader and challenging behaviour – that’s what we’re going to work on and we don’t expect Zach to be perfect in that space.

“What we’ve asked him to do is to role-model behaviour, to be an exceptional role model. And our coaches, me included, need to take a bigger responsibility in making sure that we’re enforcing the behaviours that we value.

“I think the risk for Zach is that he tries to be an enforcer, when really we just want him to lead by example, be the best player he can be and we’ll bring the others with him.”

Merrett’s attention to detail, desire to excel and self-discipline are well known, in the same way that Hawthorn and Collingwood champions Sam Mitchell and Nathan Buckley were renowned for their commitment and, as captains, had to learn to strike a balance between setting standards and tolerating teammates’ behaviours or lesser standards.

Scott confirmed that Dyson Heppell would have retained the captaincy had he wished.

“Yeah, I’ve been clear on that … we didn’t want a situation where he had to make hard and fast calls on limited information. So my view was if we’re not sure, we should stick with what we’ve got.

“So if Dyson said ‘I desperately want to lead this club’, that’s what he’d be doing. But he felt Zach was ready, he felt Zach was the right person and importantly he wants to be playing while Zach takes the reins so he can support him. Because he doesn’t want to leave him high and dry, our first-time captain, without much support.”

Scott said Heppell had endured so much in his career at Essendon and the club had a responsibility to their former skipper – who had to lead the club through the period after the drugs saga and the tumult that followed.

“He’s as good a motivation leader as I’ve come across. He’s an absolute beauty, Dyson, heart and soul of the footy club. And he’s had to – look at that guy’s career, look at the period that he’s had to endure.

“So I don’t think many AFL players are owed anything but I certainly think we owe a responsibility to acknowledge and thank Dyson Heppell for all he’s done.”

Scott also paid tribute to the leadership of Heppell’s predecessor Jobe Watson.

“But the challenge at Essendon for a long-time has been – I’ve got massive amounts of time and respect for Jobe Watson … he had to lead through a really tumultuous time.”

 

[brain taylor]

wasn't thrilled with the captaincy appointment but gee whiz if he keeps this up i'll happily scoff down my words like a pig at trough

 

[Alberto_Magnifico]

 

[citizen-erased]

Doping failed, but can we gene splice zachy into the fabric of the club

 

[Stopher]

Doping failed, but can we gene splice zachy into the fabric of the club

Ironically, he is easily the best by-product of the whole scandal.

Great start as skipper.

 

[DERO]

Like junior’s game. Just goes about Hos business week in and week out.