The Zac Merrett Thread

[trout 385]

What about Weiderman and a pick to Essendon, we bring in Brown to replace Weid? They are going to need a forward to replace Daniher.

[Adam The God 30,112]

42 minutes ago, trout said:

What about Weiderman and a pick to Essendon, we bring in Brown to replace Weid? They are going to need a forward to replace Daniher.

I think if you're bringing Merrett in where does Gus play?

You've got Viney, Oliver, Petracca, Harmes and then Merrett. Maybe Merrett plays on a wing and that enales Gus to play midfield, but it's tough fitting in all those mids, particularly when Gus has shown he can probably only play one position to a high level.

[trout 385]

2 minutes ago, A F said:

I think if you're bringing Merrett in where does Gus play?

You've got Viney, Oliver, Petracca, Harmes and then Merrett. Maybe Merrett plays on a wing and that enales Gus to play midfield, but it's tough fitting in all those mids, particularly when Gus has shown he can probably only play one position to a high level.

Like others have mentioned I would be trying Viney in the forward line like Wallis for a portion of a game and I would have Merrett on the wing. 

[Adam The God 30,112]

27 minutes ago, trout said:

Like others have mentioned I would be trying Viney in the forward line like Wallis for a portion of a game and I would have Merrett on the wing. 

I would too (RE Viney), but will they?

Fritsch Jackson Melksham

Viney Weideman Pickett

That's a reasonably mobile forwardline.

@Patches O’houlihan and I were sharing teams in PM yesterday and I'm sure he won't mind me putting forward his idea of Melksham off half back. I know Melksham played half back at Essendon to inconsistent success, but I reckon this would be a brilliant move. Use his kicking off half back, next to Salem and Rivers. It then opens up that forwardline to:

Fritsch Jackson ?
Viney Weideman Pickett

If we could bring in someone like Brayden Ham or another zippy small like Jack Higgins to play at half forward, that would give us Higgins, Viney, Pickett and Jackson to apply pressure at ground level and bring x factor and unpredictability. Fritsch, Jackson and Weideman as the marking targets. I think moving Melksham out of there, moving Viney and another small into the mix, as well as Petracca rotating through there, provides far more balance to the forwardline than we've had at any point during 2020.

Then one of Merrett/Polec/Smith/Phillips and Langdon on the wings. Oliver, Petracca, Harmes and Brayshaw (?) in the middle. If you got Merrett, he'd replace Gus as a midfield rotation and a wingman. Otherwise, Gus would be another midfield rotation, along with Viney.

We can dream.

Edited October 2, 2020 by A F

[Grimes Times 1,278]

2 hours ago, A F said:

I'd trade Gus and a future first for Merrett. Would Essendon? If we could convince him, I reckon they would.

In what world is Merrett equal Gus and a 1st round pick. Id call them pretty level.

[Adam The God 30,112]

13 minutes ago, Grimes Times said:

In what world is Merrett equal Gus and a 1st round pick. Id call them pretty level.

Merrett's been far more consistently elite than Gus. I love Gus, but he's had one consistent elite season at AFL level - 2018. And even if you remember back to that year, he started the season out of the side and had to work his way in.

Merrett's been elite for 5 years. If we take our Melbourne scarves off, Merrett's body of work is far, far greater and more impressive than Brayshaw's.

Edited October 2, 2020 by A F

[Grimes Times 1,278]

3 minutes ago, A F said:

Merrett's been far more consistently elite than Gus. I love Gus, but he's had one consistent elite season at AFL level - 2018. And even if you remember back to that year, he started the season out of the side and had to work his way in.

Merrett's been elite for 5 years. If we take our Melbourne scarves off, Merrett's body of work is far, far greater and more impressive than Brayshaw's.

I dont disagree with any of that, but im not doing not doing Gus plus a first round pick. If it was just Gus for a draft pick what would you want back for him.

[Adam The God 30,112]

11 minutes ago, Grimes Times said:

I dont disagree with any of that, but im not doing not doing Gus plus a first round pick. If it was just Gus for a draft pick what would you want back for him.

I wouldn't trade Gus if it was for a draft pick. I'd rather we keep Gus, but if we were any chance to land an elite talent like Merrett who would perfectly compliment our midfield (can play inside or outside in our midfield and on a wing), I'd trade Gus every day of the week. Gus has struggled on the wing and up forward. He wasn't bad off half back in his first season, but otherwise he's not flexible enough and he's not as good at winning the ball as Oliver.

[Engorged Onion 10,215]

1 hour ago, A F said:

I think if you're bringing Merrett in where does Gus play?

You've got Viney, Oliver, Petracca, Harmes and then Merrett. Maybe Merrett plays on a wing and that enales Gus to play midfield, but it's tough fitting in all those mids, particularly when Gus has shown he can probably only play one position to a high level.

Ugh, I hate saying this, but I believe from what has been said here and elsewhere, Gus is gone. That's the impression I have. I concur with you about his limited flexibility (Gus's) - which is why, if I was Gus, I would want to go elsewhere to play where I wanted to play. There would be no shortage of suitors.

[Adam The God 30,112]

12 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

Ugh, I hate saying this, but I believe from what has been said here and elsewhere, Gus is gone. That's the impression I have. I concur with you about his limited flexibility (Gus's) - which is why, if I was Gus, I would want to go elsewhere to play where I wanted to play. There would be no shortage of suitors.

Yep, and re-signing Sparrow speaks volumes to me. I hope we're making a serious play for Merrett, but I certainly haven't heard that we are. Would make our midfield immediately the best in the league. Oliver, Merrett, Petracca in the one midfield is an embarrassing set of riches if possible.

[Engorged Onion 10,215]

Just now, A F said:

Yep, and re-signing Sparrow speaks volumes to me. I hope we're making a serious play for Merrett, but I certainly haven't heard that we are. Would make our midfield immediately the best in the league. Oliver, Merrett, Petracca in the one midfield is an embarrassing set of riches if possible.

On paper- and I know you (and everyone here)knows this, but from a midfield perspective there needs to be personnel changes and becoming more dynamic in game.

I was watching the game last night (Geelong, Port) and it just felt such a scrappy game... BUT the scrappyness is the norm these days, its not free flowing... its not how it would have been 17-20 years ago from Voss, Lappin et al, nor even WCE or Hawthorn's much vaunted midfield.

First game of the finals, my thoughts were.

• The capacity to win the contested ball relentlessly is an imperative... 
• And to get it to skilled users on the outside.

Now as pundits on here, we all get that... and Goodwin and the FD are moving in that direction. But each year over the last few, theyve had to address at draft time...the question is, which problem do you address first, and whichever one that is... who is best available at that particular year to best address it, knowing full well that not everything will be addressed when you want it.

• defensive frailties - now resolved
• one out of two wingers - now resolved
• elite (ish) ball users - unresolved.

[Adam The God 30,112]

13 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

On paper- and I know you (and everyone here)knows this, but from a midfield perspective there needs to be personnel changes and becoming more dynamic in game.

I was watching the game last night (Geelong, Port) and it just felt such a scrappy game... BUT the scrappyness is the norm these days, its not free flowing... its not how it would have been 17-20 years ago from Voss, Lappin et al, nor even WCE or Hawthorn's much vaunted midfield.

First game of the finals, my thoughts were.

• The capacity to win the contested ball relentlessly is an imperative... 
• And to get it to skilled users on the outside.

Now as pundits on here, we all get that... and Goodwin and the FD are moving in that direction. But each year over the last few, theyve had to address at draft time...the question is, which problem do you address first, and whichever one that is... who is best available at that particular year to best address it, knowing full well that not everything will be addressed when you want it.

• defensive frailties - now resolved
• one out of two wingers - now resolved
• elite (ish) ball users - unresolved.

Oliver or Petracca giving to Merrett is elite enough for me.

I agree that we need to address functionality and efficiency of our midfield, but Merrett is the sort of player that is a beautiful user on the outside. Petracca is one of those guys like Dusty who will turn it over from time to time, but the rest of the time, he'll create gold and scores. Oliver is similar and will get better the more he accelerates out of stoppages.

I think we'll be able to address that second winger position come the start of 2021 too. It's about getting the forwardline balance right and the the best efficiency from stoppages IMV.

[Engorged Onion 10,215]

4 minutes ago, A F said:

Oliver or Petracca giving to Merrett is elite enough for me.

I agree that we need to address functionality and efficiency of our midfield, but Merrett is the sort of player that is a beautiful user on the outside. Petracca is one of those guys like Dusty who will turn it over from time to time, but the rest of the time, he'll create gold and scores. Oliver is similar and will get better the more he accelerates out of stoppages.

I think we'll be able to address that second winger position come the start of 2021 too. It's about getting the forwardline balance right and the the best efficiency from stoppages IMV.

Mmmm, I wasn't disputing Merrett and his talent at all. I think he would be a fine addition. It's just a reality that to bring someone in to an already (on paper) stacked midfield... someone needs to leave. Either Gus or Viney (for vastly different reasons) I felt were the  'most' expendable from our midfield at this current time. It appears it will be Gus**from what I have read... no sources, no nuthin'.

Edited October 2, 2020 by Engorged Onion

[trout 385]

6 hours ago, A F said:

I would too (RE Viney), but will they?

Fritsch Jackson Melksham

Viney Weideman Pickett

That's a reasonably mobile forwardline.

@Patches O’houlihan and I were sharing teams in PM yesterday and I'm sure he won't mind me putting forward his idea of Melksham off half back. I know Melksham played half back at Essendon to inconsistent success, but I reckon this would be a brilliant move. Use his kicking off half back, next to Salem and Rivers. It then opens up that forwardline to:

Fritsch Jackson ?
Viney Weideman Pickett

If we could bring in someone like Brayden Ham or another zippy small like Jack Higgins to play at half forward, that would give us Higgins, Viney, Pickett and Jackson to apply pressure at ground level and bring x factor and unpredictability. Fritsch, Jackson and Weideman as the marking targets. I think moving Melksham out of there, moving Viney and another small into the mix, as well as Petracca rotating through there, provides far more balance to the forwardline than we've had at any point during 2020.

Then one of Merrett/Polec/Smith/Phillips and Langdon on the wings. Oliver, Petracca, Harmes and Brayshaw (?) in the middle. If you got Merrett, he'd replace Gus as a midfield rotation and a wingman. Otherwise, Gus would be another midfield rotation, along with Viney.

We can dream.

Maybe with some fresh eyes in the coaching staff someone might suggest trying Viney in the forward line.

Melksham to the half back line could work, he has the skill and reads the play well. My biggest concern with that would be his work rate, this year he was off the chart lazy in my eyes. Maybe it would force him to work hard, certainly worth considering.

 Yeah another good small pressure forward would be very handy. The other wing spot is hard if not Merrett for me. Polec has a lot of what we need but I am just not sold on him, Smith has had a super career but has he got enough left in the tank to help us get past the four teams that have played finals yesterday and tonight, I don’t think so sadly.

We can dream alright, hopefully some new improved coaches some smart trading and recruiting and we can be playing finals and challenging.

[Sideshow Bob 2,341]

Anyone got any news on Zerrett. Obviously his mate Saad is already out the door. Melky Hibbo time to earn your pay checks - get him over

[58er 6,378]

On 10/2/2020 at 4:25 PM, Engorged Onion said:

Mmmm, I wasn't disputing Merrett and his talent at all. I think he would be a fine addition. It's just a reality that to bring someone in to an already (on paper) stacked midfield... someone needs to leave. Either Gus or Viney (for vastly different reasons) I felt were the  'most' expendable from our midfield at this current time. It appears it will be Gus**from what I have read... no sources, no nuthin'.

No one needs to leave We need 6 or 7 good mids not 4 or 5!!

[Demons11 6,906]

8 minutes ago, jako13 said:

Anyone got any news on Zerrett. Obviously his mate Saad is already out the door. Melky Hibbo time to earn your pay checks - get him over

There is no way they trade him now with how much is going out 

[Adam The God 30,112]

35 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

There is no way they trade him now with how much is going out 

Unless they see it as a chance to rebuild, but they'll want more than we can likely provide them.

[Demons11 6,906]

3 minutes ago, A F said:

Unless they see it as a chance to rebuild, but they'll want more than we can likely provide them.

Dodoro will lose his job if things keep going the way they are, so he won’t do it I wouldn’t have thought 

[Sideshow Bob 2,341]

32 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

There is no way they trade him now with how much is going out 

Why?

Merrett out has been on the cards just as long as Saad out. Danners is was never staying after last year's trade fiasco.

They have a whole scale rebuild on their hands - for the new coach

 

 

[Demons11 6,906]

38 minutes ago, jako13 said:

Why?

Merrett out has been on the cards just as long as Saad out. Danners is was never staying after last year's trade fiasco.

They have a whole scale rebuild on their hands - for the new coach

 

 

Merrett is only 24, if he was 27-28 then I’d agree but it won’t happen. Just my opinion 

Edited October 6, 2020 by Demons11

[grazman 7,405]

I think the smoke around Merrett is indication of a pretty large blaze, he's either out of there this year or next. I strongly suspect the club are very interested in getting Zac to become a Demon.  

Daniher provides an interesting precedent  It will be interesting to see what happens and then whether Essendon sideline Dodoro as a result.  Daniher  wanted out last year and given the injury concerns I thought the Swans offer was fair, Essendon didn't and held onto him, that's their right but are  they really going to get better compensation in an extremely compromised draft when he leaves as a RFA now?

They won't and more to the point they've burnt 12 months when they could have been developing the Swans  first pick from last year (Pick 9) and be looking forward to using the Swans first pick this year. Bang up job Adrian!  They're doing their best to deny suitors looking at Joe's medical files because when they do it's far more likely the offer will be substantially less than Tier 1, almost as certain that Essendon's bluff will be called and they won't match a bid.  This has the potential to turn into the mother of all list management nightmares for the new coach.

Given all this they probably still won't trade Merrett but after the Daniher result is known and if Merrett is resolved to leave, hopefully they might take a more pragmatic approach. 

Edited October 6, 2020 by grazman

[DeeSpencer 25,437]

3 hours ago, Demons11 said:

Dodoro will lose his job if things keep going the way they are, so he won’t do it I wouldn’t have thought 

The case for it:

1. Essendon haven't won a final in 14 years, the only way a key staffer like Dodoro keeps his job with that record is to keep having reasons why they haven't gone up the ladder. First it was the end of the Sheedy era, then the problem was Matty Knights. Then it was the supplement saga. With a new coach who they want to give some time and space to reset the game plan and list the best way to save everyones job is to have one big clean out. They won't be completely hopeless next year with or without Merrett, the list isn't that bad, so you go backwards for a year but you've got 5 first rounders in 2 years to show for it. For all his trade shenanigans Dodoro has always drafted well enough to hang in there.

2. If Merrett leaves in free agency he'll have to get a bigger contract than say Brad Crouch will get this year. And if Brad Crouch is only getting an end of first round pick then maybe Merrett's in line for similar. You have to assume we'd offer up our future first to start negotiations. 

I like Merrett but I don't love him. There's not enough smoke just yet to make me think we're all that keen and I think Essendon would certainly rather keep him. But it's an interesting one.

[Ted Lasso 19,278]

5 hours ago, jako13 said:

Why?

Merrett out has been on the cards just as long as Saad out. Danners is was never staying after last year's trade fiasco.

They have a whole scale rebuild on their hands - for the new coach

 

 

Contracted lad. Essendon wouldn't even entertain a trade, and if we somehow did get to the negotiation stage they'd want one of Petracca or Oliver for sure. 

much better to just keep talking to him and have a serious crack at the end of next year. 

[whatwhat say what 22,658]

gotta be in his ear preparing for the free agent offering at the end of 2021

if the peppies did decide to pull the trigger on moving him on this year, i'd want to be in the conversation

can't see it happening at this stage