Essendon is again playing hardball as former captain Zach Merrett attempts to move to Hawthorn in this year's trade period, with Hawthorn's trade package for the midfielder denied by the Bombers.
The Bombers have refused Hawthorn's initial offer of Picks 15, 25 and a future second or third round selection, according to The Age.
It comes after Essendon last year refused to release the star midfielder for three first-round selections and the now-delisted Henry Hustwaite.
Merrett has since changed managers, moving from TGI Sport's Tom Petroro to CDG's Nick Gieschen.
Merrett is contracted until the end of 2027 but is keen to leave the club where he has won seven best and fairest awards, with the initial refute suggestion it could be another fortnight of tense negotiation.
Hawthorn list boss Mark McKenzie yesterday provided an update on where the conversations sit.
"We've clearly still got interest in Zach. He's a very good player, and we've had initial discussions as we do with most clubs. The thing is, from us, we've got that interest in Zach, but we respect he's a contracted player," McKenzie said on AFL Trade Radio this week.
Hawthorn also holds Picks 26, 33 and 64, as well as first, second and fourth-round picks for next year's draft, and all four of their 2028 selections.
