2020 Trade & Free Agency Spotlight | Zach Merrett (ESS)
Written by Joseph Addamo
Throughout the 2020 off-season, Blue Abroad will be providing content to cover everything you need to know about the Carlton Football Club.
Looking to take the next step in 2021, the success of this off-season’s recruiting is critical. We will be looking at various opposition players on the open market that could add another dimension to the current crop of players.
This is the Blue Abroad Trade & Free Agency Player Spotlight for Essendon’s #7 – Zach Merrett.
WHO IS ZACH MERRETT?
Junior Club: Sandringham Dragons, U18 TAC Cup
AFL Selection: Pick 26, 2013 AFL National Draft by the Essendon Bombers
Age (@ Round 1, 2021): 25
Height: 180cm
Weight: 83kg
Position(s): Midfielder
Career Games: 142
Career Goals: 46
WHAT IS ZACH MERRETT’S STRONGEST ATTRIBUTE?
One of the premier ball-magnets in the competition, Zach Merrett’s knack for finding the football allows him every opportunity to leave him mark on games. A 2x Essendon Best & Fairest and 2017 All-Australian midfielder, Merrett is undoubtedly the most important piece of the Bombers current midfield puzzle.
In his career to date, Merrett rates as elite for disposals per game (26.3), inside 50s (4.9), uncontested possessions (18.4), effective disposals (19.4) and metres gained (413.5). He also ranks above average for overall disposal efficiency (74%), centre clearances (1.6) and pressure acts (18.3).
Merrett’s ability to get to the outside of a contest while also imposing himself in close brings balance to his game. Much like Jack Macrae or Lachie Hunter, he’s an accumulator, and knows how to use the ball when disposing more often than not.
WHERE WOULD ZACH MERRETT FIT IN CARLTON’S STARTING 22?
A cream-of-the-crop midfielder like Merrett would slot straight into Carlton’s midfield unit. Considering the accumulator for the Blues at the moment is Sam Walsh, Merrett’s presence would only free up Walsh even more in his capacity to impact the contest.
Round 20, 2018, in a classic encounter vs. Hawthorn, Merrett put together a near complete game which showcased the balance his possesses as a footballer. He finished the day with 41 disposals (a career-high), which included 16 contested possessions and 27 uncontested possessions. He laid 4 tackles, had 5 inside 50s and gathered 8 clearances as the premier ball-winner for Essendon on the day. Among all of this possession and in a tightly contested affair, Merrett only managed 4 clangers for the afternoon.
Zach Merrett is the ball magnet Carlton are screaming for.
WHAT IS ZACH MERRETT’S CONTRACT STATUS?
Merrett is contracted with Essendon until the end of 2021, at which point he is eligible to exercise his free agency rights.
While the Dons would be keen on Merrett seeking out his contract, this has not stopped opposition clubs from circling this off-season. Carlton has been one of those clubs.
Fox Sports reporter Tom Morris gave some insight into the situation for fans late in September:
Carlton, Port Adelaide and Hawthorn I understand have some level of interest in Zach Merrett… the fact these clubs are hovering and are at least asking the question just tells us there’s a fair bit of unrest at Essendon at the moment… this is ‘pre agency’ at its absolute best. This is why players have more power than ever before. - Tom Morris
While it is an outside chance, Carlton has already shown its aggression this off-season in the recruit of Zac Williams and chase of Adam Saad. If there’s any sign Merrett wants out, expect the Blues to be right there asking for his services.
REALISTIC ACQUISITION RATING
3 / 10
