Zach Merrett has set his sights on turning Essendon into a successful AFL team again after being appointed as captain.
Merrett was voted into the role after Dyson Heppell made the surprise decision to step aside last week. Defender Andrew McGrath has been appointed vice-captain.
Heppell skippered Essendon in 107 matches, placing him fifth on the club’s all-time list for games captained. Merrett’s appointment means the Bombers will enter 2023 with a new captain, coach, chief executive, president, high-performance manager and board members.
Essendon have been mired in mediocrity for much of the past two decades, with their last finals win coming in 2004. They finished 15th last season in a campaign that resulted in the axing of coach Ben Rutten and a botched attempt to snare Alastair Clarkson as his replacement.
CLICK HERE for a seven-day free trial to watch the AFL on Kayo Sports.
Merrett is one of the game’s best midfielders, winning two All-Australians and three best-and-fairest awards. The 27-year-old, who served as vice-captain last season, is determined to lead the club into an era of success.
Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“There’s great energy around the group,” Merrett said.
“With Andy and I as captains, supported by a group of emerging leaders, we are all united and aligned in our vision to take us back to being a successful football club.
“This is a journey for all Essendon people – we’re bringing everyone along for the ride and we are working really hard to make our members and supporters proud of this team again. It is a huge honour to be selected as the next captain of Essendon.
“Some of the finest names in Australian football have been captains of Essendon. From Reynolds to Clarke, Daniher, Hird and Heppell, it’s humbling to join this list of champions of Essendon.
“This is a great club with a great future.”
New coach Brad Scott said Merrett was the perfect leader to take the young group forward this season.
“This is an exciting time for our football club as change presents opportunity,” Scott said.
“Zach and Andy are outstanding leaders who will progress this football club setting and demanding high standards.”
Teeko
Roar Rookie
You got this one very wrong. Merrett has been an excellent captain for us. His best example of that was our win against the Tigers! No better way to beat them than by one point. Good times! :laughing:
Teeko
Roar Rookie
Why do you think Merrett would be a poor captain?
Chanon
Roar Rookie
That’s ok mate we have had some fiery battle’s over the years it was nice to get one back on ya :stoked:
Patient #9
Roar Rookie
I like the fact you qualify it was wce sucking that night caused victory :thumbup: we're still better than foots.....sorry the western Bulldogs :stoked:
Mark
Roar Rookie
There are just no Captains at Essendon. Same as they have no quality Board Members, Administrators or genuine Team vibe. The repair job at Bomber Land is huge.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Hey we won a premiership & l witnessed it & it was amazing & as an entire finals series it was jam packed with us against the best of the rest :silly: First we beat the Weagles, they believed all the WA media hype high fives & grinning the victory dance, coach & players having a ball party after party, seven days of fun before the bounce :stoked: Then the hawks with elephant brain coach crying about the 100 tackles & no free kicks after the game on repeat at every press conference when he could :laughing:. Then to top it off we played Libba’s fav team in the orange freaks man what a awesome game possibly the best game l’ve watched jam packed with bravado & ferocious tackles, men vs men a real bruising encounter :boxing: Then the holy grail we beat the bloods & crushed them by 4 goals, a special thanks to Tom Boyd & Liam Picken :stoked: Pete money means squat when you win the premiership & who you pay even if it’s overs :happy:
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Ah Tom Boyd…the guy who only played two games of football. But it just happened to be the ones that mattered most :stoked: . Still $500k per game is a pretty good get. Well played TommyB :stoked:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Oh well we got Tom Boyd & won a flag
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I mean the inspired choice would be Reddog. But unfortunately there’s a risk he leaves in free agency no matter how minimal you don’t want to lose your captain like the bulldogs did with Ryan griffin or the suns did twice.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
This appointment highlights the dearth of leadership and talent that Essendon has.
Jutsy
Roar Rookie
Redman wouldve been a leftfield pick but hes a bit of an introvert apparently. I think merrett is a placeholder till hobbs is experienced enough.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
He’s a solid contributor good luck in 23’ :thumbup:
JamesH
Roar Guru
Ah this tired old lazy line. Let's just ignore the fact he was ranked 4th in the competition for defensive half pressure acts per game, hey?
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Be interesting to see how they play under Great Scott!
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Merrett seems a safe but slightly uninspired move by the Bombers although Heppell's stepdown is the right call - never seemed convincing.
G money
Roar Rookie
Does that mean he's gonna actually push back and defend? or will he sit on the outside and get his 35 touches?
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I mean neither of these decisions were unexpected. I think Zac Merrett comes across a bit like Brendan Goddard did when he was on the field as he was extremely demonstrative. However his articles in the press show a sensitive man driven by success, I like the fact that there’s an extensive leadership infrastructure around Merrett to make up for any perceived shortfalls
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I said he’d be gone as the Essendon Captain following his interview with Gary Lyon during On The Coach last year. His leadership was one of anger and frustration, something you can smell on the pitch. It’s a good move by him and the EFC. I wish him the best for the coming season.