Geelong have thrown their hat in the ring for Essendon star Zach Merrett with master coach Chris Scott involved in the potential recruiting coup.
Channel 7’s Tom Morris revealed on The Agenda Setters that Scott has sent a direct message to Merrett to let him know he is one of their targets.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Geelong makes bold play for Zach Merrett
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The Cats are also in the mix for Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters and GWS veteran Toby Greene.
But Merrett is a new name on their target list.
“What we can tell you tonight on the Agenda Setters is that in recent days, Geelong has made an unexpected play for former Essendon captain Zach Merrett,” Morris said.
“Now, this comes via their coach, Chris Scott, who I understand texted Zach Merrett directly to say that he’s one of Geelong’s targets at the end of the season, alongside Zak Butters (and Toby Green).
“Now, we know that Merrett has another year remaining on his contract. It’s unclear whether Merrett would even consider the Cats.”
Former Essendon captain Zach Merrett had just 11 disposals against Brisbane. Credit: Getty
Morris went on to say that Merrett is “chips in” on getting to Hawthorn.
“But what it does do, it speaks to the Cats’ ambition that they are willing to potentially have a crack at Merrett, also Butters and also Toby Greene at the end of the season,” he added.
“Merrett has often been linked with Geelong in the past because of where he grew up, beyond that way, and that he’s got family links. But I think it’s highly unlikely he ends up at the Cats.”
The Essendon veteran requested a trade to Hawthorn last year, but the two parties couldn’t agree on a fair deal and Merrett ultimately stayed at the Bombers.
He relinquished the captaincy and has since gone on to play every game this season in a variety of different roles.
While he has still racked up decent numbers, his influence and commitment has been questioned at times.
Against Brisbane on Sunday, he had one of the worst performances of his career, tallying just five touches in the first half before finishing with 11.
“I’ll keep protecting Zach because for me and the coaching group, and he’s been sensational,” interim coach Dean Solomon said after the game.
“He’s been a massive support the last five or six weeks for me.
“Yes, he had a down game today. I can’t knock Zach. I’ve got to be fair and take all things into consideration.”
Meanwhile, Gryan Miers suddenly faces an uncertain future at the Cats.
Miers has been one of Geelong’s best and most consistent players since making his debut in the first round of 2019.
But after suffering a partial tear of his ACL this year, Miers missed four games and then returned to play four straight games before being “managed” after the loss to Adelaide in Round 13.
He has yet to get back into the senior side despite racking up big numbers in the VFL.
“The view from other clubs is that he is on the move at the end of the year and is open to more opportunities elsewhere, and Geelong is open to that deal,” Morris reported.
“Now the Cats won’t say that because they want his price to be has high as possible at the trade table.
“There are clubs looking at him, very confident they can get him out of Geelong.”
Miers is contracted until the end of 2028, but a potential trade could help the Cats land a key bargaining chip in their pursuit of other targets.
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