Zach Merrett has today informed his teammates and the football club that he will step down as Essendon Captain ahead of the 2026 AFL Season.

Merrett was appointed the Club's 41st captain ahead of the 2023 AFL Season and led the playing group for three years, demonstrating exceptional leadership, drive and determination, during a crucial period of transformation for the club.

The six-time Crichton Medallist spoke passionately this morning about his desire to focus on his playing performance and to support the club's next group of leaders.

"It has been an absolute honour to be the 41st Captain of the Essendon Football Club. Growing up, it was a childhood dream of mine running around the backyard in Cobden, and it has been an opportunity that my family and I are very proud of," Merrett said.

"If you told younger me I would get to Captain this club for three years, I would have pinched myself. It's been something I've really enjoyed and loved doing. I've really enjoyed being Captain to lead so many great current and past players.

"It's been weighing on my mind around who is the best person to lead this Club and group moving forward, and I feel like I've come to the decision that I'm not the right person. There's so much optimism, excitement and energy at the club, internally and externally, with the fans, changes with the High Performance Team, our new draftees, top-end talent.

"It feels like so much excitement and optimism and newness, and being such a young group, it is a great chance for the next leader to come in and grow with the group moving forward.

"Thank you to the club, and to Scotty for giving me the opportunity to captain the club.

"We'll continue to leave no stone unturned to make sure we play in that last Saturday in September,” Merrett said.

Hailing from Cobden in Victoria’s south-west, Merrett joined the Bombers in the 2013 NAB AFL National Draft as selection No.26. After making his senior debut in round one, 2014, he quickly became a pivotal part of Essendon’s midfield and in recent seasons has cemented his position as one of the competition’s most influential midfielders.

Over his 12 seasons and 251 games with Essendon, the 30-year-old has won six Crichton Medals as Essendon’s Best and Fairest and has earned three All-Australian guernseys, making him an all-time great of the Essendon Football Club.                         

Essendon President Andrew Welsh thanked Merrett for his dedication and commitment as captain.

“On behalf of the Board and all Essendon members and supporters, I want to sincerely thank Zach for his immense contribution as our captain over the last three seasons," Welsh said.

"His tenure has coincided with a vital period of cultural growth for our club. His passion, elite standards, and dedication to his teammates and drive to win showcases him as one of the best on-field leaders in the AFL. This decision is an example of a selfless leader prioritising the best interests of the club moving forward.

"Zach and I have had many long discussions recently and he is absolutely all-in on our vision and can clearly see the direction we’re heading. He knows what we are building, and this decision supports that long-term goal with a focus on allowing the next wave of leaders to take control of this club. While he steps away from the captaincy, his influence on this playing group will not diminish. He remains a critical leader for us, and we know he will be integral to leading the next phase of our journey on-field."

Senior Coach Brad Scott praised Merrett’s leadership and will to win for his club and teammates.

"Zach has done an exceptional job over the last three years, leading the club through some good times and difficult times. He has driven this club during a period of transition, and we are thankful to him and his family for their dedication to that position," Scott said.

"Zach is an incredible player and in my time in coaching, I've rarely seen anyone like him. He is as hungry for success as any player that I've ever encountered and he's a man who wants this club to achieve the ultimate success.

"Leadership is about the thankless stuff that hardly anyone ever sees. It's not all about giving motivational speeches, getting up and doing the stuff in flashy lights. It's the stuff behind the scenes that go unnoticed, that is difficult, and it can be quite relentless. That has been Zach over the past few seasons.

"We fully respect his decision to focus his energy on being the elite on-field leader we know he is. No one embodies our culture on field more than Zach, and we know he'll deliver in 2026 and beyond.

"On behalf of the coaches, the players, you've done an exceptional job the last three years, and we all share your optimism and excitement for the future."

The Club will now undertake a thorough process to determine the new Essendon captain, with an announcement to be made ahead of the 2026 season.