Both St Kilda and Essendon have spoken publicly to reject suggestions Bombers captain Zach Merrett could be traded this off-season.
It was revealed on Sunday night the Saints held serious interest in landing the gun midfielder, who is contracted until the end of 2027, though the initial report by Nine’s Tom Morris clearly stated it was very unlikely to happen and no formal offer had been made.
The Saints were willing to offer over $1 million a year to land Merrett, who is seeing out a front-loaded contract at Tullamarine, where he has at times been frustrated about the club’s lack of success.
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Speaking to the Herald Sun, a Saints spokesman said: “We have not approached his (Merrett’s) management with a contract offer for Zach to join St Kilda.”
“There has also not been any formal discussion of this topic with Zach or his management.
“We will not be making any further comment on this matter.”
While that serves as something of a denial, the initial report did not state a contract offer had been made – just that one had been discussed – nor that formal discussion had been made, just informal discussion, and the language used is important.
More firmly Essendon said in a statement, shared by SEN’s Sam Edmund: “Neither the club, nor Zach, have any interest in exploring the concept.
“He is our captain and not going anywhere.”
The trade period begins on October 7 and ends on October 16.
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