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Essendon has sweetened the contract of captain Zach Merrett to help stave off any rival interest for the star midfielder, but one football expert doesn’t think it’s the right move.
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According to the Herald Sun’s Jay Clark, Essendon have increased Merrett’s deal over summer as a result for his strong form and loyalty over several years.
St Kilda made a play for Merrett last year and while Merrett “did not seriously pursue” the Saints’ offer, it has led to Essendon increasing his contract in recent times.
Merrett is a five-time best and fairest winner and is one of the most highly regarded midfielders across the competition.
Clark reported that Merrett was believed to be on about $900,000 a year before his recent rise, which the Bombers felt necessary should rivals come for their captain once more.
However, former Port Adelaide player Kane Cornes struggled to see why the Bombers had changed his contract, claiming the Dons had lost their “ruthless edge”.
“Why is there the need for Essendon to do this?” he began on SEN Breakfast.
“This is the whole point that I’ve got about clubs being so soft. The ruthless edge to footy clubs is now gone.
“You have a salary cap, so if Zach Merrett takes up more of the salary cap it means that Essendon can’t use that salary cap on other players. This one advantage that you have – it is why Geelong have been so successful because they don’t overpay their players and they pay their players fairly on performance.
“There’s no question on Zach Merrett’s performance, no one loves him more than I do. I think he’s been consistent, a great leader who plays the game the right way and all of that.
“But Zach, in 2021 you were happy to sit there and put pen to paper on a six-year contract.
“I lose my mind about these long-term contracts and those that defend them will say, ‘Hang on, it gives the club power, it means that they know what they’re going to pay this player for that length of time, it means they can then go about manoeuvring their listing and their salary cap of putting pieces in place that they need to because they know they’ve got Zach Merrett locked in until he’s 32 years of age on a six-year deal that he was very, very, very happy to take the security of in 2021’.
“Now the minute another club comes along and offers him this deal, Essendon go, ‘Wow, we better keep Zach happy’.
“We are so soft and clubs have got so soft and this is another great example of one of the reasons why Essendon have not been successful.”
Cornes’ co-host, Sam Edmund had an opposing view, saying Merrett was simply getting paid what he deserved.
“He was getting underpaid. This is simply fair freight. Straight away I’d make that distinction,” Edmund said.
Breakout star Sam Durham is also in line for a reassessed contract, the duo set to join Jordan Ridley, Jye Caldwell and Kyle Langford as other Bombers to have found better contracts in recent times.
Durham had an exceptional 2024 season, progressing from fringe player to genuine star of the competition.
The tough on-baller averaged a career-high 21.4 disposals across last season, in addition to 4.4 tackles and 4.1 clearances a game. Alongside Merrett, he was a revelation for Essendon’s midfield brigade.
Ruck Sam Draper faces a “big decision” on his future this year however, with Adelaide expected to “keep close tabs” on the star big man.
Draper has been cruelled by injuries in recent years and is hoping to get a free run at things in 2025. Essendon’s number one ruck managed just 16 games last season after only 14 the year before.
Veteran Todd Goldstein remains on the list while youngster Nick Bryan is pushing for more senior opportunities as well, so Draper’s form and fitness will be a major talking point as the season progresses.
