{"id":473541,"date":"2025-10-02T21:20:54","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T21:20:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=473541"},"modified":"2025-10-02T23:20:32","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T23:20:32","slug":"we-love-you-high-emotion-as-merrett-wins-bombers-medal-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=473541","title":{"rendered":"'We love you': High emotion as Merrett wins Bombers medal"},"content":{"rendered":"

W\ufeffantaway captain Zach Merrett<\/a> said he is "willing" to remain at Essendon<\/a> as he read out a pre-prepared speech after winning the club's medal for a sixth time.<\/p>\n

There was uncertainty as to whether Merrett would even attend Thursday night's ceremony, but he arrived on the red carpet and did his best to dodge journalists who were keen to speak to him before the event.<\/p>\n

The gun midfielder \ufeffwon the medal, as expected, and sits only one behind club icons Dick Reynolds and Bill Hutchison, who each claimed it seven times.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Famous father's advice that save star from GF heartbreak<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\ufeffREAD MORE:<\/strong> Cameron Smith left red-faced after live TV ring blunder<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Coach's cheeky dig as premiership stars' exits confirmed\ufeff<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Merrett has been the talk of the AFL world since being busted meeting with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell<\/a> three weeks ago.<\/p>\n

\ufeffDespite having two years to run on his contract with the Bombers, and an offer from the club to increase his salary over that time, the 29-year-old is expected to request a trade to the Hawks when negotiations officially open next week.<\/p>\n

\"Bombers<\/p>\n

There was loud applause when Merrett won the medal and he address the situation on stage.\ufeff<\/p>\n

"The past two weeks have certainly been difficult for me, my family, and for many people in and around the football club," Merrett read off a piece of paper.<\/p>\n

"I respect the club's position regarding their desire to retain me at the football club and fully understand what it means to be a contracted player and captain.<\/p>\n

"I acknowledge that there are complexities and uncertainty right now, regardless of the external noise and pressure, I'm willing and committed to continue working with the club.<\/p>\n

"I don't have control over what others say or do, but from my perspective, I will always show care and consideration for the fans, my teammates, coaches and the club, even if we disagree on some things, that's my commitment, and it will not waver.<\/p>\n

"What I can say categorically is my approach to football has always been the same that is to stay ultra-professional, gather the right information from people I trust and make the best possible decisions for my career and family.<\/p>\n

\"Merrett<\/p>\n

"No club should be defined by one person, and Essendon is no different."<\/p>\n

The Bombers hierarchy have said they want Merrett to stay, but will also realise the trade capital they can score by allowing him to leave.<\/p>\n

They finished 15th on the ladder this year and were cruelled by a crippling injury toll, although never looked like a genuine finals quality team.<\/p>\n

\ufeffHead coach Brad Scott paid credit to Merrett on Thursday night.<\/p>\n

"Zach had another exceptional year, and I know I speak for everyone when I say how proud we are to seeing [him play with] heart and soul for our club on a weekly basis," Scott said.<\/p>\n

"[It's been a] difficult few weeks for Zach, his family, and I'd like to thank all those who have supported him.<\/p>\n

"We love you, Zach, we love you and [your partner] Alexandra, and you'll always have my full support. Thanks for everything you've done."<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

W\ufeffantaway captain Zach Merrett said he is "willing" to remain at Essendon as he read out a pre-prepared speech after winning the club's medal for […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":473544,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/473541"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=473541"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/473541\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":473552,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/473541\/revisions\/473552"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/473544"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=473541"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=473541"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=473541"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}