Despite Essendon suffering a 12th consecutive loss on Thursday night, Bombers captain Zach Merrett continues to be a source of inspiration for the club.
While battling a hand injury that required surgery last week, the star midfielder chalked up 24 disposals at 80 per cent efficiency and contributed to seven score involvements, also laying nine tackles with the sore body - one shy of equalling his season-best.
In the 34-point loss, this effort could very easily be overlooked, but that would be ignoring the scope of Merrett's achievements.
Essendon senior coach Brad Scott revealed post-game the extent to which Merrett was battling, highlighting his courage in returning to the field so quickly from the medical ward.
"He had six holes drilled into a bone in his hand, so he's sore," Scott said.
"It was always going to be a challenge for him to play, but we and he were reassured that there was no risk. In fact, it's reinforced with the surgery and the plate that was put in his hand.
"There's very little risk. Once he was assured of that, there was no question that he would want to play, but it looked like it [was sore]."
While Merrett struggled with the physicality during the match, forcing him to play outside the contest - he attended just 20 per cent of centre bounces - Scott believes his return won't jeopardise Merrett's ability to feature in their final match of the season against Gold Coast next Wednesday night.
"We struggled to have him in the centre bounce because he was hampered in there with that, but he did what he always does, which is just keep fighting and competing," Scott said.
"I thought he had influence. Unless there's risk or he can't function, he'll be better next week than he was this week.
"A couple of times, trying to handball right-handed, it was hard for him to clench a fist. It was a challenge.
"It comes down to the fact we were assured by the surgeon and the medicos there was no risk. Once they told him that, he was always going to declare himself fit to play."
Merrett and the Bombers conclude their season on the Gold Coast next week, playing the Suns in a rescheduled fixture from Opening Round that could shape the top eight drastically.
