The Zac Merrett Thread

[Redleg 40,926]

2 hours ago, Tough Kent said:

We really do overrate our own in here. In the last 4 years, Merrett has won 2 BF, finished runner up and come third. He is an All-Australian and 3 times made the Under 22 team of the year. He is a very, very good player who would instantly make our team better. He is an outside player who has been forced to play an inside role due to Essendon's needs. He would be our wingman for the next 8 years.

Apart from one good year, what has Brayshaw achieved? And people think a straight swap is fair? Crazy. Merrett was forced out of Essendon's leadership group last year by their players because he was considered too driven to succeed and he needed to work on building relationships with teammates. These are not problems Brayshaw has. 

 We would demand Brayshaw and a late first/early second round pick. 

Agree he is a very good player and they won’t let him go, if they can stop him. 

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,177]

11 hours ago, Demon Disciple said:

Plus his disposal is average at best. Throw in what the Scum will demand for him, no.

Merrett isn’t slow and is exactly the type of second ring player to take the ball away from the clearance and connect play down the ground. I am sure I heard quoted last week he has the best inside 50 effectiveness of any mid in the league. 

[Gator 17,361]

Merrett is a gun.  I'd love to get him, but it's obviously unlikely.

His disposal was always exceptional, but it has dropped off recently.  I've seen enough to know it's far from an issue.  A happy mind would fix things pretty quickly.

Brayshaw is an interesting trade proposition.  To get Merrett you'd do it in a heartbeat.  I've not pined over a single player that's left us recently (including Howe), because I've known what you're going to get.  Brayshaw is the one player that would have me nervous.  Why ?  Because I'm not sure what he could become.  He has the natural talent to be elite.  For me it's above the shoulder with Angus.  If the penny ever truly drops he could come back to make you regret trading him.  But for a player of Merrett's quality you'd definitely take the gamble.  With Merrett you're certain what you're getting and he'd add exactly the polish we lack.

 

[whatwhat say what 22,772]

if it was zerrett for gus brayshaw i personally couldn't sign the transfer papers fast enough

can't see peptides doing that

[Adam The God 30,261]

1 hour ago, whatwhatsaywhat said:

if it was zerrett for gus brayshaw i personally couldn't sign the transfer papers fast enough

can't see peptides doing that

Well, to be fair, Gus can play inside and if you look at their midfield, this is what they're desperately lacking.

If we could convince Merrett to put in a trade request, I think they'd take a player of Gus' abilities. They might ask for a little sweetner, but I'd be reticent to pay more than Gus. 

[JimmyGadson 3,455]

I'd do a Brayshaw/Merrett trade in a heartbeat.

Taking the emotion out of it, it's an absolute no-brainer. 

Never going to happen though.

[spirit of norm smith 16,462]

1 hour ago, Hannibal Inc. said:

Merrett is a gun.  I'd love to get him, but it's obviously unlikely

 

Totally agree 

1. He’s a gun

2. love to have him at the Demons 

but 

3. It’s obviously VERY unlikely 

[Wiseblood 24,637]

8 minutes ago, JimmyGadson said:

I'd do a Brayshaw/Merrett trade in a heartbeat.

Taking the emotion out of it, it's an absolute no-brainer. 

Never going to happen though.

That's the crux of the issue.

If you could pry Merrett out of Essendon, then you would be insane not to pursue him.  He would complement our midfield perfectly.

But unless something major went down, it simply won't be happening.  He is pretty much their best player outside of possibly Shiel. 

[Lucifers Hero 39,826]

Apparently, the players voted him out of the Vice captaincy and out of the leadership group this year.  Any ideas as to why?

Edited September 26, 2020 by Lucifer's Hero

[dazzledavey36 54,947]

2 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Apparently, the players voted him out of the Vice captaincy and out of the leadership group this year.  Any ideas as to why?

Probably same reason as Viney??

[Cards13 9,117]

11 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Probably same reason as Viney??

Perfect for a straight swap then! Approved.

[old55 23,595]

I'd do Brayshaw + Harmes + 2021 1st for Merrett + Saad.  Essendon might go for that win-win.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,222]

21 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Apparently, the players voted him out of the Vice captaincy and out of the leadership group this year.  Any ideas as to why?

There's discussion on bomberblitz that he was too hard on the players/expecting too much of them but other posters shot that down so who knows?

[whatwhat say what 22,772]

3 minutes ago, Pollyanna said:

I'd do Brayshaw + Harmes + 2021 1st for Merrett + Saad.  Essendon might go for that win-win.

ooh er, that'd be an interesting trade indeed

[Adam The God 30,261]

 

7 minutes ago, Pollyanna said:

I'd do Brayshaw + Harmes + 2021 1st for Merrett + Saad.  Essendon might go for that win-win.

Interesting... I'd probably do it, but jeepers we're losing a lot of guys that can roll through midfield.

Merrett's elite, so I'd do it, but yeah, things could go pear shaped with an injury or two.

[Willmoy1947 4,091]

Of all the onballers at TWSNBN, he would be my pick. If he wants to go would he come here, where he would be able to roam and think about what to do come delivery time. Ideal for us, but don't tell them nothing.....

The only other thing i heard is that the merger between North and them might be a go..........

[Demon Disciple 12,141]

48 minutes ago, Pollyanna said:

I'd do Brayshaw + Harmes + 2021 1st for Merrett + Saad.  Essendon might go for that win-win.

Very intriguing indeed.

Get rid of the McDonalds and bring in another KPF, then our list has improved all over the ground

[Demons11 7,028]

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Probably same reason as Viney??

A bit different to Viney, Gawn was just a better candidate and Viney still stayed VC.   Merrett was voted out of the leadership group completely 

[layzie 33,814]

The one player we may need the most but also the one player Essendon should not be parting with, even more so than Daniher in my opinion. 

[dazzledavey36 54,947]

11 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

A bit different to Viney, Gawn was just a better candidate and Viney still stayed VC.   Merrett was voted out of the leadership group completely 

True.

[Dr.D 1,771]

8 hours ago, Demons11 said:

Speed is less important when you hit targets.

And what about defensively? 

See that's the problem with the mfc, automatic assumption is that I was talking about offence. 

[Demons11 7,028]

4 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

And what about defensively? 

See that's the problem with the mfc, automatic assumption is that I was talking about offence. 

??‍♂️

[old55 23,595]

2 hours ago, A F said:

 

Interesting... I'd probably do it, but jeepers we're losing a lot of guys that can roll through midfield.

Merrett's elite, so I'd do it, but yeah, things could go pear shaped with an injury or two.

I'm basing this idea on the belief that Viney has re-signed, I can see arguments both ways about that outcome ...

I think my trade is like for like based on 2020 roles - Brayshaw wing-mid and Harmes half-back, although I acknowledge Harmes can be effective in the midfield.

Oliver, Petracca, Viney, Merrett, Langdon.  This means a couple of VDB, Melksham, ANB, Sparrow, Jordon and Baker (and Hannan?) have to play midfield in the 22 and I acknowledge depth does looks a bit thin.  Using Tomlinson in the backline and adding Saad may free Salem or Rivers into the midfield.

I believe that we can't trade our remaining 2020 picks because we traded already pre-traded our 1st this year - that's the rule on future picks and I'm not sure whether the restriction carries over into the next year.  If that is the case then the only trade currency we've got is players or 2021 picks.

[Adam The God 30,261]

12 minutes ago, Pollyanna said:

I'm basing this idea on the belief that Viney has re-signed, I can see arguments both ways about that outcome ...

I think my trade is like for like based on 2020 roles - Brayshaw wing-mid and Harmes half-back, although I acknowledge Harmes can be effective in the midfield.

Oliver, Petracca, Viney, Merrett, Langdon.  This means a couple of VDB, Melksham, ANB, Sparrow, Jordon and Baker (and Hannan?) have to play midfield in the 22 and I acknowledge depth does looks a bit thin.  Using Tomlinson in the backline and adding Saad may free Salem or Rivers into the midfield.

I believe that we can't trade our remaining 2020 picks because we traded already pre-traded our 1st this year - that's the rule on future picks and I'm not sure whether the restriction carries over into the next year.  If that is the case then the only trade currency we've got is players or 2021 picks.

Yep, figured the thinking was based on Viney having re-signed.

I'd be playing Salem on the wing and Merrett in the middle with Oliver and Petracca. A worrying lack of blanket players then though. This would leave only Jack to play a tagging/blanket role. This may be enough. I'd still like him played in a forward pocket if he's staying on.

As for the trading of future picks, I know there was a rule at some stage about trading consecutive futures, but has this rule been 'laxed? I certainly think the AFL should be more flexible given the climate.

[Adam The God 30,261]

Unlikely I know, but anyone who says Merrett is a butcher, isn't watching closely enough.

He's a gun. These highlights show how naturally he gets it on the outside.

Not only is he a beautiful kick, he's quick, despite what some are saying. Perfect fit for our midfield.