Zach Merrett meets Hawthorn coach as Essendon gets shredded for ‘strange’ Sam Draper statement

After rumours have been swirling about Essendon captain Zach Merrett’s desire to leave the club, it has now been revealed that he has met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell.

Merrett, his wife, and Mitchell met on Tuesday night in the wake of another disastrous season for the Bombers.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Essendon’s exodus continues as Sam Draper departs.

The star onballer is the biggest name among several players who could leave the club this year.

Ruck Sam Draper has confirmed he will head to Brisbane as a free agent and defender Jordan Ridley is also said to be keen to join the Lions.

Mitchell was coy at his pre-training media conference on Thursday morning when asked about their interest in Merrett.

“I’m not sure - you’d have to talk to the list management guys about that,” Mitchell said.

“I hope they are working behind the scenes on improving our list. That’s what their job is and I hope they are going about that.”

Within seconds of the media conference ending, it was reported that he had indeed met with Merrett.

Gold Coast’s elimination final win over Fremantle last weekend has added further emphasis to the lack of September success at Essendon.

They now have the longest stretch without a finals win, dating back to 2004.

It is understood Merrett’s primary motivation for leaving the Bombers is to play in a premiership team.

His manager Tom Petroro said Merrett’s motivation to explore a move was simply due to the fact that he was getting older and was craving success in his latter years.

Meanwhile, the club has been shredded over its handling of Draper and the statement that came out on Monday.

The club issued a statement about Draper’s intention to leave, which included an interesting quote from Draper.

“Personally, the last few years haven’t been easy with all the injuries I’ve sustained,” Draper said in the statement.

“This has taken a toll on me both mentally and physically, and I’ve had to make a very hard decision for what’s best for me moving forward and I feel it’s the right time for a fresh start.”

The statement also included a quote from the club’s football manager Daniel McPherson.

McPherson said Essendon were “disappointed” that Draper would not be a part of the club’s future, however, “we respect the decision he has made”.

AFL great Luke Hodge and veteran journalist Caroline Wilson questioned the statement released by Essendon, calling it “nice” and wondering why Draper was given a voice to complain about injuries.

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He has played 35 out of a possible 69 games over the past few years at Essendon, and this season only managed five games due to an Achilles issue.

“Where is the frustration (that he’s going)?” Hodge fumed on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters on Tuesday night.

“It seems like they’re happy to just let him go and put out this nice message.

“Where’s the aggression? Where’s the anger ...? They wanted to keep him. There’s no doubt they wanted to keep him.

“They’ve got to show a bit of passion about it. They’ve had people walk out their door time and time again for years (now).”

Wilson said Draper’s comment on the injuries was “a sting in the tail” for the club.

“I thought it was a strange statement,” Wilson said.

“I know Sam’s being really honest about why he’s leaving, but Essendon are trying to attract people to their footy club.

“They’re trying to keep good people at their footy club. And yet we read this statement where he says how injuries ... and we know that it became a scandal this year, really .... they’ve moved on their high-performance team At one stage, they had 18 players unavailable, and here we’ve got a key player leaving and saying the personal and mental toll (of injuries is the reason he’s going.

“I guess it’s just being honest but I just don’t think it’s a great advertisement for the footy club.”

Cleary said all expectations were that Draper would be at the Lions on a five-year deal where he’ll go there as the No.1 ruckman.

Essendon veteran Jayden Laverde has also put his house on the market with speculation that he will join his mate Jake Stringer at the GWS Giants.

“He’s looking like he wants out, too. And obviously selling a house is one of those steps,” Dale Thomas said.

As for Merrett, Hodge said it was time for him to make a public statement.

“I don’t think it looks great on either side. As a skipper, you need to come out and make a comment, whether you’re staying or whether you’re going, to give clarity to your football club on what way they want to go, you have to come out and say your decision,” Hodge said.

“I know he’s going through a lot. He’s probably speaking to a lot of people inside the club, outside the club ...

“I just feel as a leader of that football club, he has to say something.”

- With AAP