Superstar ‘torn’ on future as exit fears grow; top pick ‘leaning towards’ exit — Trade Whispers

One of the game’s biggest names is genuinely “torn” on whether to request a trade out of the club he captains.

Plus a former first-round pick looks likely to leave his club and head to Victoria.

Get the latest AFL player movement news in Trade Whispers!

Watch every match of the 2025 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

SUPERSTAR ‘TORN’ ON FUTURE AS EXIT FEARS GROW

Essendon captain Zach Merrett is reportedly “torn” on whether he’ll request a trade as the superstar’s state of mind sums up the woes at Tullamarine.

Sam Draper is expected to leave for Brisbane and Jordan Ridley holds interest in doing the same, but it’s the gun skipper’s future sparking the most concerns.

Merrett, who has played 251 games and is desperate to contend for premierships, has “a high degree of disillusionment” with the current state of play at Essendon according to one report.

He weighed up a massive offer from St Kilda last off-season and is contracted until the end of 2027.

Seven’s Mitch Cleary reports rival clubs are trying to convince Merrett to push for a trade, even though the Bombers have took a firm negotiating position – often made by clubs before a trade request drops – saying they won’t move him.

“Tonight Zach Merrett is torn on what he wants to do next year,” Cleary said.

“Last year clubs chased him and he stayed, but rivals now believe there’s enough impetus to go again given Merrett’s mindset.

“The 30-year-old to work through his options over the next couple of weeks and whether he agitates to get out.

“Merrett is frustrated at the 13-game losing streak to end the season, and those close to this concede his comments six weeks ago backing the future of the Bombers have since softened.

“Hawthorn is a club to watch given their chase for a star midfielder, having also missed out on Harley Reid, however tonight Essendon could not be more unequivocal – Merrett will be playing at Essendon next year, for the two years on his contract and hopefully beyond.”

TOP PICK ‘LEANING TOWARDS’ EXIT

Out-of-contract West Coast midfielder Campbell Chesser is reportedly “leaning towards” requesting a trade to Carlton.

The No.14 pick in the 2021 Draft had a difficult start to his career but finally found some form at the back end of the 2025 season, after playing 18 games.

The Eagles have offered Chesser a two-year deal but Essendon is interested and Carlton is the frontrunner to land him, according to The West.

He is said to be good friends with Harley Reid which could yet convince Chesser to stay.

“I think it’s a real credit to Campbell. I spoke to him the other day about how difficult a position it is when you’re a player that’s out of contract and you haven’t had much opportunity,” Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said before their final game of the season.

“You need a lot of grit to be able to put your focus towards what’s important and he’s done a great job with that.

“I think we’ve all seen the last three weeks what we were hoping we would see from Campbell as a player, and he’s got a really exciting future with our football club.”