Former Essendon Coach Brad Scott Says He Wanted Zach Merrett Traded
Brad Scott stated he advised Essendon to accept a trade offer for midfielder Zach Merrett from Hawthorn last summer. Scott also confirmed the club considered a 10-year, $22 million offer for West Coast's Harley Reid.
Former Essendon coach Brad Scott said he wanted the club to trade Zach Merrett to Hawthorn last summer after the Hawks made an offer. Essendon declined the proposal and kept Merrett under contract through the end of 2027. Scott made the comments in his first interview since being dismissed as coach.
Scott also said Essendon considered offering West Coast midfielder Harley Reid a 10-year, $22 million contract. He added that signing one player would have required trading future draft picks, including those used to select Nate Caddy, Isaac Kako, Dyson Sharp, Sullivan Robey and Jacob Farrow. Scott stated the club remained about two years away from consistent finals contention.
Essendon president Andrew Welsh said the decision to retain Merrett was made by the club and that the team would not be influenced by external pressure. Welsh also said decisions would not be based on returning former Essendon figures to leadership roles.
Former Essendon coach James Hird told Nine's Footy Classified that he would be interested in the head-coaching position if selected. Merrett said he learned of Scott's dismissal from another customer at a cafe near the club's Tullamarine headquarters on Tuesday morning.
He added that he maintains a strong relationship with Hird but declined to discuss his own contract situation immediately after the coaching change.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
4 events- Last summer
Essendon rejected Hawthorn's trade offer for Zach Merrett.
1 sourceAbc - Monday
Former Essendon captain Neale Daniher died.
1 sourceAbc - Tuesday morning
Brad Scott learned he had been dismissed as Essendon coach.
1 sourceAbc - Tuesday
Brad Scott and Andrew Welsh spoke publicly about the coaching change and player matters.
1 sourceAbc
Potential Impact
- 01
Essendon will begin the search for a permanent replacement for Scott.
- 02
Merrett is expected to seek a trade again after the current season.
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