Melbourne great Garry Lyon has implored rival clubs across the league to pursue former Essendon captain Zach Merrett, with the star midfielder all but certain to seek an exit for a second year straight.
Fresh off the Bombers’ confirmation that Mark McVeigh will be the club’s head coach for at least the next three years, the Herald Sun reported Merrett had been prepared to stay at Essendon had James Hird instead been appointed.
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Merrett unsuccessfully attempted to join Hawthorn in last year’s trade period, with Essendon rejecting all advances made by their long-time rivals for the then-captain.
It has been widely expected across the industry that the 31-year-old will end up at the Hawks this October. However, speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Monday night, Lyon reminded other clubs that the contracted star’s move is not yet a “fait accompli”.
“He’s being treated as a bit of a distressed asset at the moment; which is an interesting observation, and one you don’t share,” AFL 360 host Gerard Whateley said to Lyon.
Lyon responded: “There’s this narrative that Hawthorn are going to get him cheap, because he nearly got there last year and it didn’t quite work … if you’re a club that wants a classy, star midfielder — he is there for the taking!
“If you’re North Melbourne, you’re going, if you’re St Kilda, the Western Bulldogs, you’re going! What an asset he would be. He’d be a great asset to Hawthorn … but don’t just lie down and think it’s a ‘fate de compli’.
“This is rare quality here, that it would appear, is on offer. If you want to make yourself better, he’s 30 years of age and a professional … go after Zach Merrett — he makes you better.
“What would Geelong do? Of course they (ask)!”
Battered and bruised, Merrett’s last game for the 2026 season was a stellar one, collecting 32 disposals and a crucial goal deep in the fourth quarter that nearly proved a match-winner.
His major proved the Bombers’ last, but unfortunately not the Power’s, with Port Adelaide kicking the final two goals of the match to regain the lead and lock their opponents in for the wooden spoon.
“I thought this was symbolic of the whole Zach Merrett-Essendon relationship. He’s playing with a broken cheek, he’s playing with a busted arse. He kicks a goal with a minute and a half to put them in front,” Lyon added.
“He’s done everything he possibly can, and within 30 seconds, a goal is kicked at the other end and the game is gone.
“There’s a man who’s about to win his seventh best-and-fairest … and right at the death, maybe his last action as an action player (he says): ‘I’ll lead you again and get you in front — I’ll do everything I possibly can.”
