Soon after the depend started, new Bombers president and former participant Andrew Welsh used his speech to name for the membership to galvanise. “We win collectively, we lose collectively, however we stick collectively,” Welsh mentioned.
Those phrases appeared significantly pointed, given Merrett is dealing with arguably essentially the most important fortnight of his soccer profession after it emerged he met with Hawks coach Mitchell. It was information that blindsided Essendon because the Bombers’ contracted captain had dined with coach Scott simply days earlier.
Scott didn’t immediately reference the Merrett drama however expressed his delight in every thing the star onballer stood for.
Loading
“Zach had one other distinctive yr, and I do know I converse for everybody once I say how proud we’re to seeing [him play with] coronary heart and soul for our membership on a weekly foundation,” Scott mentioned.
“[It’s been a] troublesome few weeks for Zach, his household, and I’d prefer to thank all those that have supported him.
“We love you, Zach, we love you and [your partner] Alexandra, and also you’ll at all times have my full help. Thanks for every thing you’ve achieved.”
But the third-year Essendon coach implored the membership’s taking part in group to be pushed within the low season, already eyeing off a possible spherical one conflict in opposition to Hawthorn.
“It’s actually clear that our supporters are our biggest power. So when issues are actually troublesome for us and we had a troublesome yr, our supporters had been there for us,” Scott mentioned.
“They got here out in numbers [this season] and to have the fourth-highest residence [and] away attendance of any membership within the competitors is … fairly the extraordinary statistic.
“It ought to get everybody excited as soon as we get this [team] going, as soon as we get rolling, I’ve acquired little doubt it’s going to be arduous to cease.
“[We] can get excited for spherical one, which is more likely to be a house sport in opposition to Hawthorn, with 90,000 … supporters supporting their group.
“They may need a pair there as properly, however it’ll be our residence sport, and it’ll be a sport that we are able to all stay up for, and we’ll drive our preseason.”
Merrett attended the Brownlow Medal depend final week and admitted to his important unease at how the dramatic commerce saga had panned out. The 251-gamer apologised to Essendon followers however stopped in need of publicly committing his taking part in future at Tullamarine.
“I simply wish to make an apology to the followers, and I do really feel just a little little bit of disgrace in the meanwhile,” Merrett, who might be one of many greatest names of the AFL commerce interval, instructed Seven on the Brownlow purple carpet.
“I’m not there to upset followers. They are the perfect within the comp and I respect them dearly, and we’ll see what occurs within the subsequent few weeks.”
Merrett didn’t wish to elaborate on his ideas when he made a low-key arrival for the Crichton Medal depend.
Barely 24 hours after Merrett spoke on the Brownlow, incoming president Welsh declared the Bombers’ captain would stay on the membership in 2026.
“Zach’s a required participant, he’s contracted to the membership. So we received’t be entertaining any commerce for Zach,” mentioned Welsh in an interview on the Bombers’ web site.
Welsh additionally didn’t contact on the Merrett drama immediately when addressing the operate initially of the evening.
Instead, the hard-nosed former midfielder and defender who performed 162 video games within the purple and black was intent on turning the membership’s focus ahead after the Bombers skilled a season devastated by a unprecedented damage depend.
Welsh mentioned the 2025 marketing campaign would by no means be a “wasted season”.
Merrett walked off the MCG to a guard of honour following his 250th sport in August.Credit: Getty Images
“It was undoubtedly distinctive yr with the challenges we confronted, however I replicate on it as a yr of development,” Welsh mentioned.
“I’m genuinely enthusiastic about what we’ve been in a position to unearth this yr, and watching the event of everybody who represented our membership.
“While the scoreboard didn’t at all times replicate our efforts, there’s no such factor as a wasted season.
“The character constructed, the bond strengthened, and the foundations laid in 2025 will outline this soccer membership for years to return.
“This was a yr of development, and development is rarely straightforward, however it’s at all times price it.”
Welsh, who retired in 2011, saved his boldest phrases till the top of his speech, when he made a rallying cry for unity.
“My message applies to everybody on this room – from our gamers, coaches, employees and volunteers to our members and supporters: This is our time to galvanise,” Welsh mentioned.
“Our foundations are set, and it’s time to unite. We win collectively, we lose collectively, however we stick collectively, and once we stick collectively, we’re a formidable membership.
“This is our time. This is our second, and we’re about to embark on our biggest period. So let’s get working. Go Bombers.”
Merrett was seated on a desk with younger gun Nate Caddy, delisted large man Jayden Laverde, utility Matt Guelfi, and midfielders Jye Caldwell and Will Setterfield.
