Cornes: What is the benefit of playing Zach Merrett?

Is there any point in the Bombers persisting with Zach Merrett?

The former captain is highly likely to be granted his desired exit at the conclusion of the 2026 season, having failed to jump ship to the Hawks on deadline day of the 2025 trade period.

Stepping down from his role in the leadership group, the 30-year-old is still said to be eager to leave Essendon, desperate for success having failed to win a final across his entire career.

The six-time best and fairest has continued to perform this season, averaging 28 touches and five tackles, however, has been shifted out of the midfield and into the back half to accommodate for the Dons’ collective of young midfielders.

Comparing Merrett’s situation to Lachie Neale’s as he approaches a potential Lions exit, Tom Morris and Kane Cornes aren’t entirely convinced that his presence within the side is necessary.

“Danny Daly (Brisbane GM) said that he would like to know if any of his players were going to leave,” Cornes told SEN’s Locked In.

“So, Zac Bailey, Lachie Neale – he said ‘we wouldn’t treat them any differently. Dan McStay told us before he was going and we played him’.

“The carrot to have success at the end of the year is there. Other clubs are saying, ‘no, don’t tell us, because we will treat you differently’.

“That probably shows the maturity of the Lions, and how they are handling this.”

Tom Morris added: “I think it’s easier to do that when you are a very good club in the premiership window. Harder if you are a club down the bottom.

“Let’s say Lachie Neale was playing for Richmond at the moment – there is no need for Lachie Neale to play for the Tigers for the rest of the year once you decide he is going.

“Zak Butters at Port Adelaide gives it everything, but if they had a whole smorgasbord of midfielders who couldn’t get into the team, then he would be taking up one of their spots.

“It’s a bit like what is happening at Essendon with Zach Merrett. There is no point in Zach Merrett playing in midfield.

“Why would you take minutes away (from your young guns)?”

Cornes: “What’s the point of him playing (at all)?

“What is the benefit of Zach Merrett playing right now?

“He is playing an uncontested, junk style of football. He is playing nowhere near to the full commitment that Zach Merrett has played with for 80 per cent of his career.”

Morris: “He can still direct traffic and be a leader off half back.”

Cornes: “Well yeah, but he is not really doing that.”

Morris: “They’ve got lots of injuries. Who is he keeping him out is the point.

“If he is keeping Elijah Tstatas out of the midfield, fair enough, go to half back. But who is he keeping out off half back?”

Merrett has achieved season-low centre bounce attendances in back-to-back matches, featuring in just 10 centre bounces against the Demons and just one against the Blues.

Sullivan Robey has notably increased in midfield minutes over the course of the season, with a career-high 18 centre bounces coming against Carlton - the same game Merrett achieved his lowest attendance percentage (four per cent) since Round 2, 2020.