King applauds “ever-present” Merrett following another top-tier Essendon performance

David King has awarded praise to Essendon captain Zach Merrett following the Bombers’ 12-point triumph over Port Adelaide.

Merrett has been in top form across the opening three rounds, collecting another vital 34 disposals in Thursday night’s contest.

Beyond his knack for finding the footy, King commended the 29-year-old for his leadership, making several desperate efforts to drag his team over the line in the scrappy contest at Marvel Stadium.

“I would like to recognise Zach Merrett’s game,” King said on SEN’s Fireball.

“Not just the numbers, but the attitude.

“There was a couple of moments in the game where he was just able to make a big run-down tackle in the middle of the ground at a critical stage, get a fist in when most midfielders wouldn’t bother, to create a spoil and an opportunity to go forward late in the game and probably ice the game really.

“I would like to give him a huge wrap, and I know he is in really good form in terms of getting the footy, he didn’t have his best night by foot last night, a bit scrappy in the first half.

“But he was ever-present.

“I would just like to say that the leadership in the end for the Bombers of (Sam) Durham, (Dylan) Shiel was very good, clipped him last week so want to give him a polish this week, and Merrett.

“Along with Mason Redman, who is a critical part of the Bombers counter-punch game. I thought they led the way and in the end, they were the difference.”

On the season, Merrett is averaging a dominant 32 disposals and two goals per game, willing a young Bombers side into the win column for the first time in 2025.

They have the bye next weekend before taking on Melbourne at the Adelaide Oval in Gather Round