Updated ,first published
In today’s AFL briefing:
- Zach Merrett has opened up on another season of frustration and extinguished finals hopes at Essendon.
- Sam Mitchell has quashed speculation he’s interested in moving to Tasmania.
Essendon star Zach Merrett has admitted to personally experiencing dark days this season, conceding he has been treading water over the past month since coach Brad Scott’s departure.
A candid Merrett, 30, opened up on a season of frustration and extinguished finals hopes on Wednesday, and again raised questions about his tenure at the club.
The Bombers have just one win (and only two from their past 28 matches), and are now led by interim coach Dean Solomon.
Merrett suggested it had taken a toll.
“I was probably naive … to the amount of chatter and focus and noise that would present this year. I think a lot of it’s been justified, in some it’s probably borderline, crossed the line, with the obsessive nature of some personalities in the media,” he said at the launch of the AFL’s kids footy month.
“But, as I said before, I get to rock up every day, do my dream job. There is, obviously, so much greatness that comes with footy, and so much fun and enjoyment and passion. That five per cent [negativity] is probably at the cost of 95 per cent. So, I understand, it is what it is. That’s what I love doing.
“But, yeah, there have been some dark moments, no doubt.”
Merrett, a six-time Crichton medallist, said he had addressed the criticism with two prominent media figures.
“They judge how I am playing, I am not going to criticise their views, that’s their opinions. Maybe if they could back it up with some data, that would be nice … They don’t know what my intent is, what I am doing nine to five Monday to Friday. They are paid to have opinions,” he said.
“I have had a few exchanges with a couple of people in the media, behind closed doors, which can remain there. There have been a few things that have been amiss, an imbalance of reporting, that’s been a bit frustrating.”
Television and radio commentator Kane Cornes has been a vocal critic, accusing Merrett of “giving up” in a brutal assessment of his performance against North Melbourne earlier this season.
Typically a high-possession midfielder, Merrett, averaging 28.4 disposals per game, has spent more time at half-back under Solomon.
Merrett said he wanted to be a “more rounded player” and there were areas of his game he was “trying to get better weekly”.
“I feel a bit like I’ve been treading water a little bit, running in quicksand, the last month,” he said.
“It’s been a pretty emotional time, as I said, with Brad. We got the bye last week, which was nice, just to get away and spend a week away with my son and my wife, and just mentally and emotionally delve down and process the last few weeks.”
Potentially facing his eighth new coach [including interims] since he was a second-round draft selection in 2013, Merrett said the Bombers did not need an “Essendon person” to take charge permanently.
Club great and former coach James Hird and Solomon are two of the prominent names linked to the job. Solomon has yet to declare his interest, while Hird has made clear his intentions to step back in charge for a third time.
Bombers president Andrew Welsh is working towards confirming a coaching subcommittee, and the criteria.
Merrett said Hird and Solomon would each be excellent senior coaches, and stressed “connection” with players was the key element a coach needed when dealing with today’s players.
He said Solomon had shown an ability to not only connect with players and build confidence, but tactically had tightened the Bombers’ leaky defence.
Solomon has lost all three games since replacing Scott, the Bombers also impacted by a long injury list.
Merrett said the fact Hird had spent considerable time out of the AFL system over the past decade was not an issue, pointing out he would have a team of assistants and “it’s pretty easy to fast track any bit of technical elements”.
“He’s got an amazing footy brain, he’s great with people … I can’t see any problems with James returning,” Merrett said.
Hird has had two stints as coach, the first from 2011 to 2013, the latter year marred by the supplements’ scandal which led to his suspension by the AFL. He returned in 2015, but parted ways before the season was done.
He spent time as an assistant coach with the Giants in 2022 when former teammate Mark McVeigh was interim coach.
He has impressed as the director of coaching at VFL club, Port Melbourne.
Hird last week spoke at a fundraiser for men’s mental health, declaring he had the “fire in me to do something special” should he win the top role.
‘Going exactly as it should’: Mitchell adamant on Hawks
AAP
Sam Mitchell has quashed speculation he’s interested in moving to Tasmania, saying he’s happy as Hawthorn coach.
Mitchell is off contract at the end of the 2027 season, but is hopeful of locking in an extension before the start of the new year.
Tasmania, Carlton and Essendon are on the hunt for a new coach, and Mitchell would be hot property if he decided to test the market.
But the 2012 Brownlow medallist was adamant he was happy at the Hawks.
Taking over from four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson at the end of the 2021 season, Mitchell has guided Hawthorn to final appearances in the past two years.
Asked if speculation around his coaching future was premature, Mitchell said: “Absolutely. I’m very happy at Hawthorn.
“There’s a big difference between taking a phone call, which it’s rude not to, and discussing coaching other teams.”
The 43-year-old said he wasn’t expecting a phone call from Tasmania or Carlton, with early contract talks tracking well.
“It’s all going exactly as it should, so I wouldn’t be reading anything into that,” Mitchell said.
“There are conversations going on in the background, and I’m sure it’ll sort itself out at this coming period.”
Asked if he would like to sign a new deal ahead of 2027, Mitchell said: “I mean, I assume so, but I’m not concerned. It’s not on my mind … there’s no story there.”
Mitchell wouldn’t be drawn on ongoing speculation about recruiting former Essendon captain Zach Merrett either.
The Bombers blocked Merrett’s attempt to join Hawthorn in last year’s trade period.
“I won’t get into specifics about players. I never do that,” Mitchell said.
“What I hope is our list management group is spending all of their working hours and half of their sleeping hours thinking about how we can improve our list.”
Hawthorn, sitting third (9-4), will host the struggling GWS at the MCG on Friday night.
Jarman Impey (hamstring) will be sidelined for at least two matches, while the Hawks have ruled out Jack Gunston (foot) and Conor Nash (neck) as a precaution.
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Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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