Problem with Merrett trade after key ‘shift’; rival coach eyes star… and big play for Pie — Whispers

A Zach Merrett trade is looking more and more likely. Bit getting a deal done appears complex.

Plus a coach “very interested” in Charlie Curnow, and a rival club’s big play for a premiership Magpie.

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WHY MERRETT DEAL IS SO COMPLEX AFTER ‘SIGNIFICANT SHIFT’

Essendon and Hawthorn are set to haggle over a Zach Merrett deal in a trade set to be orchestrated by the Bombers skipper’s manager.

The Merrett trade saga has turned ugly after his meeting with the Hawks sparked teammates to speak out about their disappointment with the matter.

There’s also talk of the 29-year relinquishing the captaincy and not attending Essendon’s best and fairest next month, when he’s likely to win his sixth Crichton Medal.

Though Essendon has been adamant publicly it won’t trade Merrett, Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph suggested the Bombers had now privately conceded otherwise.

But getting a deal done for the contracted midfielder would be complex.

“This one has shifted significantly,” Ralph began on Fox Footy’s On the Couch.

“Essendon is realising: ‘We have to trade our captain, we just have to make sure we get the best possible deal’. His manager, Tom Petroro, will be the one who effectively brokers this deal.

“The problem is Essendon will say they want two first-round picks and maybe another quality player. And Hawthorn is always hard to deal with, they were hard to deal with in the Tom Barrass situation. They’ll say he’s probably worth Pick 8.

“Merrett is required, by the AFL, at Monday’s Brownlow Medal. He’s talking about giving the captaincy away and potentially not turning up to the best and fairest.

“He can’t walk back into that club now as captain and probably not next year under any circumstance.”

Four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis says he “couldn’t forgive” Merrett if he was an Essendon teammate and welcome him back into the fold with the way things have played out.

“At the start, I said Essendon should be doing as much as they possibly can to keep him. I don’t think that’s the case anymore,” Lewis said.

“With what’s happened, those relationships internally can’t be repaired. If I was a player, I couldn’t forgive a player that’s been so public about wanting to get out and meeting with other clubs as the captain and a contracted player.”

HARDWICK ‘VERY INTERESTED’ IN CURNOW

Suns coach Damien Hardwick is “very interested” in acquiring dual Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow. But Hardwick doesn’t want to give away Jed Walter or Ethan Read to make it happen.

With Gold Coast’s season officially ending in a semi-final defeat to Brisbane, the Suns now turn their attention to the trade period to try and go a few steps further in 2026.

Gold Coast, Sydney and Geelong have all been linked to Curnow, who’s keen on a trade away from Carlton, while Walter is reportedly a player of interest to the Blues.

Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph expects the Suns, despite previously playing down interest in Curnow, will explore a deal for the 28-year old.

“Gold Coast spent the finals series denying they were interested in Curnow. People who would know suggest Damien Hardwick is very interested in him,” Ralph said on Fox Footy’s On the Couch.

“He doesn’t want to trade away his nepo babies in Ethan Read and Jed Walter.

“But this is 15 years in the waiting, finally a superstar player says: ‘I want to play with you’. There’s got to be a way in which this club can get it done over the next four weeks.”

Meanwhile AFL journalist Damian Barrett anticipated Curnow will secure a trade away from Carlton, but has Sydney as the most likely landing spot.

“I think he leaves Carlton. I feel the Swans are, right now, the team in front,” Barrett said on Nine’s Footy Classified.

“But we know it’s not over until October 15 at the 7.15pm (trade) deadline, that’s about the time we’ll probably hear the result.”

‘COME IN A BIG WAY’: DEES’ BOLD MIHOCEK PLAY

Melbourne has come for Collingwood forward Brody Mihocek “in a big way” as he weighs up an offer to cross to the Demons.

The 32-year old is out of contract and yet to sign a deal tabled to him by the Magpies.

And according to Seven’s Mitch Cleary, Melbourne is making a big play for the five-time Collingwood leading goalkicker as new Dees coach Steven King looks to add experience.

“(Mihocek) has a big decision to make at the end of the season,” Cleary said on Seven’s The Agenda Setters.

“We heard Steven King earlier talking about experience and wanting to keep experience on the list,

“The Demons have come for Brody Mihocek in a big way. The Pies feel they’ve had a really strong offer to Mihocek on the table for some time.

“He’s parked that until the end of the season. He turns 33 in February. I believe he’s weighing up a really strong proposal to join the Melbourne Footy Club.

“They had a go at (Joe) Daniher at the start of the year, clearly that won’t be happening.

“Melbourne is in the market for an experienced key forward and they’ve identified this man, Brody Mihocek.”

Fellow Magpie Beau McCreery told foxfooty.com.au he was “very” confident Mihocek and Jamie Elliott would eventually re-sign with Collingwood.

“They’re two of my closest mates, so if they were to go anywhere, I’d be pretty flat,” McCreery said.

“There’s no talk like that between us boys. We all love playing together and love playing for Collingwood. I don’t think they’d be going anywhere.

“Obviously we’ve got a task on the weekend and hopefully in two weeks’ time. I think those boys will stand up and do their thing during those games.”