Zach Merrett would've stayed at Essendon if they appointed a different coach?

A Giant is set to meet with a rival club.

And what's the latest update from the Geelong concussion waiver saga?

All that and more from media buzz...

Merrett would've stayed... if

Essendon star Zach Merrett had a greater chance of remaining in the red and black next year if they appointed James Hird as senior coach.

The Bombers unveiled Mark McVeigh as their man, leaving Hird to consider his options. The Bombers great revealed multiple clubs had reached out to him about returning to clubland.

Merrett is set to join Hawthorn via the trade period, a move he attempted last year but was stopped in his wake.

But according to the Herald Sun, he was keen to reunite with Hird at Tullamarine.

Rivals implored to swoop on Merrett

Why aren't any other clubs ringing around to lure Zach Merrett?

The Bombers midfielder is wanting to join Hawthorn at season's end, but according to Garry Lyon, rivals should be pursuing Merrett.

Pies forward's play for former teammate

Collingwood's Lachie Schultz would love to reunite with former teammate Jesse Hogan this off-season.

The Pies are looking into the Giants veteran, who has been confirmed to depart the club alongside Jake Stringer.

The GWS duo are keen to continue their careers, and Collingwood have been offered as a potential destination.

“I would absolutely love to get him here at the Pies. He works harder than anyone I've ever played with internally. He trains harder and works harder and pushes himself on the field harder than anyone I have seen, so I think he would just fit our system really, really well and I couldn't be a bigger advocate for him,” he told the Herald Sun.

“I have chatted to him, he doesn't give me much, but I have told him he is wanted.”

Richmond slammed for off-season celebrations

Football media personality Kane Cornes has come hard on Richmond players celebrating following the completion of the campaign, with visions emerging of a break-up party.

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The Tigers finished last in 2026, claiming three wins as they work through an injury crisis amid a major rebuild.

Cornes labelled the footage as "embarrassing".

Giant move on the cards

Toby Greene is set to meet with Geelong this week in a bid to make the switch from the Giants to the Cats.

Greene has been linked to the Kardinia Park club for multiple weeks, with the potential of reuniting with great mate Jeremy Cameron at the club, reports indicated by The Agenda Setters.

Geelong concussion waiver penalty revealed

The Cats are expecting a six-figure penalty for their concussion waiver that came to light earlier this month.

Geelong is also understood to have parted ways with their doctor (James McLaren), according to The Agenda Setters.

Coleman winner absent from awards night

Charlie Curnow will not be attending Tuesday's awards night, while Sydney chief executive Matthew Pavlich and coach Dean Cox will also be absent.

Curnow won't be physically accepting his Coleman Medal on Tuesday.

Attendance on the evening is usually mandatory, but given the Swans' scandal last week, the trio have opted against it, with the agreement from the AFL.

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