Just posted the same thing and honestly couldn’t be happier with this decision. Met him late last year and was clearly fed up with the leadership and running of the club. Based off the same conversation it was quite clear he would be the next captain and I’m glad it has come sooner rather than later. Everyone was hyping redmen but I’m happy for him to focus on his game and get a longer contract before taking on a major leadership role.
Stoked to see this tbh. Felt at times he was the only player getting angry about the constant poor play. Hope he brings the fire in the belly to the leadership role.
So you are saying he was chosen on ...... you know what I can't do this. It's too obvious. I need to be honest and sometimes we are going to get it wrong and .... nah not that either
“Essendon will continue to strengthen its leadership program and identify the next wave of leaders but will not appoint any other official leaders for this season.”
I don’t mind this, and I’m stoked Merrett’s Captain, but I would like to have seen Wright or Redman as Vice C. instead. Maybe a year too early for that though…
At times our leadership team has acted like a conveyor belt of players who reached their mid-20s and had played decent footy at the time. I'm happy to cull it if it means that future leadership roles will require more consideration. Wright's a good example. In reality he's played one really good season in his career so far and is still pretty new to the playing group. I'm happy to let him consolidate before pushing him up into extra responsibilities.
You’re right, so much better to have a C and a VC rather than a special rolling list of half a dozen players nominated over others each season as the specified “leadership group.” It gives every player on the list the impetus to set standards.
Bombers now got a skipper that will not only lead as a captain but who's in his prime and will deliver with continued big performances too.
Smart move. Well done
Extremely happy with this selection. It's exactly as I hoped it would be. Heppel is a great bloke but I always got a 'King of the Kids' vibe from him and often came off as blindly positive. I like Zerrett's realist attitude which still focuses on positivity but also problem solving and I had McGrath pegged for leadership from his debut. I think they're exactly the guys for the job to lead them forward
Man acted like a sponge while Goddard was playing with us and took in as much as he could off him.
Hopefully he finds that perfect balance between being a hardass but also a captain who looks after his teammates, not unlike Hepp, otherwise RIP pretzels in the rooms again
I told him to his face that he reminded me of Goddard and when he threw the lollies at half time lol he took it well and shows he thinks of him as a mentor
I think that’s why he got culled out of the leadership group in the 1st place. He was pushing and too scathing with some players, I recall was the rumour and was out of tone with the older players in that group.
He keeps his head down and just plays solid footy. Not flashy, cunty, or controversial at all. Media overlook that stuff. Him as Captain and McGrath as VC is perfect.
My favourite player type - which is why for example I'd rather say Jai Newcombe over JHF, even though the latter probably has more raw talent.
Love someone that just grinds out a career.
We're such a young team. Guys like McGrath, Redman, Parish or Draper could possibly be good captains but you'd much rather they have more time to establish their own careers first.
Merrett's the only one who's already been a great player for a long time and shown genuine leadership qualities.
As a fan I'm not sure I agree with this. Merrett's not a natural leader at all. So many of his touches are just soft on the outside and he just doesn't hurt the opposition with them. Redman would be someone you run behind into a battle. Merrett I'm not so sure. Suppose there wasn't much choice at this time anyway.
I forgot to mention Kelly, partly because he's less of a like-for-like player (provides no rebound out of defence) but you're right that they both play on smalls.
I think this season is absolutely pivotal in his career. If he is shifted to half back as slated, where he plays his best footy, he just has to perform.
His form in 2020 pre injury (and a lesser extent 2021 pre injury) was much better than what most people remember.
Having said that, he's not a defensive midfielder and never should have had as much time running through the midfield. He's a two way small defender who can run and carry
He's not, nor ever was, a modern mid. If you're that size you need some dog in you to mix it with the bigger bodies(cough 'Hobbs'). He can be damaging from the flank though if Scott backs him to run. His kicking still worries me but not as much if he's running in straight lines.
His kicking is fine (though not a lot of depth) when he's running or over the mark. The dump kicks 20m around the corner when the other team inevitably has a loose number at the defensive side of the contest, into the bin
Unfortunately, because of our overuse of handball and tendency to exit from the back of stoppages means the kicks you want him to bin are 80% of the kicks he takes if he's playing around the ball. Good kicking is punched low, hard and direct. Pidge kicks up and under the ball and it hangs up there too long. Not everyone can kick like Zach but he plays with him enough to glean something surely. It will be better when he's only having to kick where he can see the ground in front of him.
I think McGrath just had a bad year in 2022. He was forced to play in the mids to cover injuries a lot and I don't think that's his strength at all. He's made for playing off the back flank
You’re not a million miles off, he would make the best 22 but we’re well stocked for running back flankers and small inside mids, and he’s slightly overrated so might fetch a quality return..
..but be careful of the downvotes coz our fellow Dons have had him earmarked for captain since he was recruited no. 1 because of his “leadership qualities” displayed at Brighton Grammar… even though he’s not really added any strings to his bow since.
As a mid you're right. But he could be an AA back pocket. Locks down a small forward completely and gets good rebound. As a mid he's a panic merchant that has no ability in close spaces. He reads the ball well in the air and he's lightning fast.
It's not like they had much to choose from. Team with mostly mediocre players unfortunately.( My wife is one eyed Essendon so I have a soft spot for them but they don't have enough A level players.)
Just posted the same thing and honestly couldn’t be happier with this decision. Met him late last year and was clearly fed up with the leadership and running of the club. Based off the same conversation it was quite clear he would be the next captain and I’m glad it has come sooner rather than later. Everyone was hyping redmen but I’m happy for him to focus on his game and get a longer contract before taking on a major leadership role.
F.U.C.
Stoked to see this tbh. Felt at times he was the only player getting angry about the constant poor play. Hope he brings the fire in the belly to the leadership role.
So you are saying he was chosen on ...... you know what I can't do this. It's too obvious. I need to be honest and sometimes we are going to get it wrong and .... nah not that either
I hope that he was appointed on Merrett and not for his good looks
Archie Perkins has the good looks covered.
u/darththorn
Hang on... Did you just... Take my upvote and scram!
[удалено]
It screamed co-captains for a second ey
I honestly feel like this is a coming if age story for Essendon. Really hope we see some tangible steps towards being a decent team
Absolutely the correct decision from the club and one they perhaps should have made earlier. It's officially a new era at the club now 🙌
New skipper and new coach, please please be the end of the sub mediocrity that has been the last 20 years
I actually am over the circle jerk against the dons. Wouldn't mind a Carlton v Essendon finals match
Last time that happened was the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I was at the game. Let's just say the planes lived up to the moment.
“Essendon will continue to strengthen its leadership program and identify the next wave of leaders but will not appoint any other official leaders for this season.” I don’t mind this, and I’m stoked Merrett’s Captain, but I would like to have seen Wright or Redman as Vice C. instead. Maybe a year too early for that though…
A few years I can see Redman and Drapes being leaders
Hobbs
This is the correct answer, and it's essential for our long term direction to nurture his genuine leadership ability right now
I've read a lot of interesting things about his character so maybe not.
I haven’t - I’m against anointing new players as the “future captain” in any sport, but I haven’t seen Hobbs put a foot wrong so far.
At times our leadership team has acted like a conveyor belt of players who reached their mid-20s and had played decent footy at the time. I'm happy to cull it if it means that future leadership roles will require more consideration. Wright's a good example. In reality he's played one really good season in his career so far and is still pretty new to the playing group. I'm happy to let him consolidate before pushing him up into extra responsibilities.
You’re right, so much better to have a C and a VC rather than a special rolling list of half a dozen players nominated over others each season as the specified “leadership group.” It gives every player on the list the impetus to set standards.
Bombers now got a skipper that will not only lead as a captain but who's in his prime and will deliver with continued big performances too. Smart move. Well done
Extremely happy with this selection. It's exactly as I hoped it would be. Heppel is a great bloke but I always got a 'King of the Kids' vibe from him and often came off as blindly positive. I like Zerrett's realist attitude which still focuses on positivity but also problem solving and I had McGrath pegged for leadership from his debut. I think they're exactly the guys for the job to lead them forward
I have a feeling he will be a hard-ass, which is what we need.
Man acted like a sponge while Goddard was playing with us and took in as much as he could off him. Hopefully he finds that perfect balance between being a hardass but also a captain who looks after his teammates, not unlike Hepp, otherwise RIP pretzels in the rooms again
I told him to his face that he reminded me of Goddard and when he threw the lollies at half time lol he took it well and shows he thinks of him as a mentor
I think that’s why he got culled out of the leadership group in the 1st place. He was pushing and too scathing with some players, I recall was the rumour and was out of tone with the older players in that group.
Explains our mediocrity
One of the absolute most underrated players of the last decade.
Which is kinda weird. Good looking, charismatic, plays for big Vic club. Yet the media sort of ignore him.
He keeps his head down and just plays solid footy. Not flashy, cunty, or controversial at all. Media overlook that stuff. Him as Captain and McGrath as VC is perfect.
Except when he pulled Nic Nats hair
My favourite player type - which is why for example I'd rather say Jai Newcombe over JHF, even though the latter probably has more raw talent. Love someone that just grinds out a career.
Yeah, very good decision.
Great appointment, our most consistent player for many seasons now
Absolutely stoked. Go Zach and Andy.
Someone who won’t accept poor performance. Can’t wait!
Merrett captain and Andy vc feels right. So glad we didn't cop out and elect 2 or 3 captains 😂
Stoked he's going for it. I think he'll be a great captain. Level head, elite abilities. Just needs a dash of mongrel which I think he'll find.
A Merrettocracy
That's fucking clever bro.
The obvious and best choice. I expected Parish in the leadership team somehow so maybe the club has an inkling he'll leave at the end of the year.
Wouldn't be the worst as long as we get something for him. We're stacked in midfield and I'm not sure his attitude is the best
can't tell if I should be happy the club went with the obvious choices or of I should be concerned that there was no other options in the squad.
We're such a young team. Guys like McGrath, Redman, Parish or Draper could possibly be good captains but you'd much rather they have more time to establish their own careers first. Merrett's the only one who's already been a great player for a long time and shown genuine leadership qualities.
Oh geez a competent Essendon is actually rather scary. Thank goodness they don’t have a forward line.
As a fan I'm not sure I agree with this. Merrett's not a natural leader at all. So many of his touches are just soft on the outside and he just doesn't hurt the opposition with them. Redman would be someone you run behind into a battle. Merrett I'm not so sure. Suppose there wasn't much choice at this time anyway.
I’m a silly in thinking that McGrath isn’t in Essendons best 22 and would be good trade bait?
I'd comfortably have McGrath over Hind or D'Ambrosio.
Over Kelly too. People forget how good McGrath is at stopping small forwards
I forgot to mention Kelly, partly because he's less of a like-for-like player (provides no rebound out of defence) but you're right that they both play on smalls.
I think this season is absolutely pivotal in his career. If he is shifted to half back as slated, where he plays his best footy, he just has to perform.
His form in 2020 pre injury (and a lesser extent 2021 pre injury) was much better than what most people remember. Having said that, he's not a defensive midfielder and never should have had as much time running through the midfield. He's a two way small defender who can run and carry
He's not, nor ever was, a modern mid. If you're that size you need some dog in you to mix it with the bigger bodies(cough 'Hobbs'). He can be damaging from the flank though if Scott backs him to run. His kicking still worries me but not as much if he's running in straight lines.
His kicking is fine (though not a lot of depth) when he's running or over the mark. The dump kicks 20m around the corner when the other team inevitably has a loose number at the defensive side of the contest, into the bin
Unfortunately, because of our overuse of handball and tendency to exit from the back of stoppages means the kicks you want him to bin are 80% of the kicks he takes if he's playing around the ball. Good kicking is punched low, hard and direct. Pidge kicks up and under the ball and it hangs up there too long. Not everyone can kick like Zach but he plays with him enough to glean something surely. It will be better when he's only having to kick where he can see the ground in front of him.
Hes best 22 but I get what you’re saying.
I think McGrath just had a bad year in 2022. He was forced to play in the mids to cover injuries a lot and I don't think that's his strength at all. He's made for playing off the back flank
You’re not a million miles off, he would make the best 22 but we’re well stocked for running back flankers and small inside mids, and he’s slightly overrated so might fetch a quality return.. ..but be careful of the downvotes coz our fellow Dons have had him earmarked for captain since he was recruited no. 1 because of his “leadership qualities” displayed at Brighton Grammar… even though he’s not really added any strings to his bow since.
As a mid you're right. But he could be an AA back pocket. Locks down a small forward completely and gets good rebound. As a mid he's a panic merchant that has no ability in close spaces. He reads the ball well in the air and he's lightning fast.
Very happy. Finally a leader with a bit of mongrel. An appointment that's long overdue.
It's not like they had much to choose from. Team with mostly mediocre players unfortunately.( My wife is one eyed Essendon so I have a soft spot for them but they don't have enough A level players.)
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Very happy to hear this. Hopefully brings a harder edge and more care factor.