Returning to the Club after an off-season period holding plenty of external headlines, Zach Merrett spoke to essendonfc.com.au about his experience during the break and the sense of unity he’s felt upon coming back.  

The six-time Crichton Medallist is as driven as ever, looking to tackle the 2026 season with a clear mind.  
 
Always wanting to improve, Merrett is motivated to work with the young group – one bolstered by five recent draft acquisitions - to deliver Bomber fans an exciting year in 2026. 

 
Merrett on… returning to pre-season training 
 
It’s been a little bit different, obviously after the last six weeks, but it’s really nice to get back. The boys have been incredible.  
 
Having Mat Inness come in has brought a new freshness and energy to the joint. Training is a little bit different, more intensity, more chaos, which I think is relevant for the game these days.  
 
The boys are relishing that and the numbers on the track have been phenomenal, which is really, really promising.  
 
And seeing a lot of the guys come back after the off-season of weights and eating, looking at Archie May and these young kids, they look a lot stronger and bigger.  
 
So, I think if you're a Bomber fan you'd be pretty excited.

Merrett on… handling the off-season  
 
There were some tough days, no doubt, throughout that period of time personally, but family-wise as well.  
 
But footy's an amazing game and it brings people together, and I feel really loved and valued when I walk back into the building.  
 
So, I'm just really keen to get to work, get around my teammates and make the fans really proud. 
 

Merrett on… the Club’s response 
 
I mean, even through the whole period, to be honest, the players were incredible through messages and phone calls and catch ups for coffee, and the staff included in that.  
 
Andrew Welsh, I think has brought a huge amount of unity across the board from top down, so there’s no doubt as a Club, we're coming together.  
 
Dean Solomon's been amazing as well since coming across in the last few weeks, coming off the Board and into the playing group (as our backline coach). He’s a very good connector and relationships guy, so I'm loving having a fellow No.7 back around the oval and on the track, and he had some really positive vibes. 
 
 
Merrett on… the future  
 
It was funny watching the draft, I spoke with Matt Rosa on the Monday, and he was asking what I'd love to see, and I think I pitched two big-bodied mids and a nice kick off the half back, which resulted in the first (13) picks.  
 
(I'm) very stoked, I mean, that brings a huge amount of energy and excitement for all of us internally.  
 
Seeing those three kids, but also the other two last night. Seeing Huss (El Achkar) being in the Academy as well, so I watched him develop over the last few years, I think he's going to be very exciting down there with (Isaac) Kako. 
 

Merrett on… building into 2026 
 
Personally, I just want to keep getting better.  
 
I think every year you want to improve and develop your individual game, your leadership influence across the group, but also bring along these guys, you know, having 20 or 25 guys under 21 and 22 (years old) - we're young and inexperienced, but it also provides a great opportunity, and we've seen that last year with guys taking it with both hands.

I’m looking forward to seeing ‘Clarkey’ (Angus Clarke), (Archie) Roberts and some of these young players take the next step.  
 
But as I said, it's hard not to be excited about five new draftees. As an older player, when you see those guys come in, you get excited, and no doubt there'll be glimpses over the next few weeks pre-Christmas, it’ll get a lot of excitement around the locker room, but no doubt when fans come, they'll see that as well. 
 
 
Merrett on… team opportunities 
 
I think we want to play a bit more of an exciting brand.  
 
I think fans want to see us take the game on and play a bit more chaotically and a bit more attacking to try and score more, and off the back of that, hopefully defend a bit better as well.  
 
We're certainly training with intensity like I've never seen before, so that hopefully can translate into games and use our assets on the field to be really exciting for fans to watch.  

Merrett on… the fans 
 
I'm just excited to get out there and do them proud again. It's been an amazing 12 years of support and I look forward to year 13 again in red and black.  
 
There’s no doubt that they'll fill the stands and yell loudly and passionately, and if not, on the couch at home screaming at the TV.  
 
I’m looking forward to 2026.