Former Essendon captain Zach Merrett has parted ways with his manager, Tom Petroro, after he was unsuccessful in joining Hawthorn during the most recent trade period.
Merrett requested a move away from the Bombers following a tumultuous season on and off the field. The Tullamarine club arguably faced the worst injury toll in its history, resulting in 15 debutants and six victories.
The 30-year-old terminated his agreement with Petroro on Tuesday, and is set to reunite with his former manager, Nick Gieschen of CDG Sports Management.
News came to light that Merrett met with Hawks coach Sam Mitchell as well as the club's football boss, Rob McCartney, in September ahead of the club's semi-final against Adelaide.
Despite Hawthorn's multiple advances and offers to get a deal done, including on trade deadline day, Essendon stood firm in retaining the classy left-footer.
Keen observers would've seen Petroro animated during the last-minute negotiations between the two Victorian clubs.
Zach Merrett's manager Tom Petroro is ANIMATED in the Hawthorn room 👀#AFLTrade pic.twitter.com/Oo2lebOMCF
— AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 15, 2025
"Zach really wants to be a Hawthorn footballer; he's all in on this. It's been a difficult five or six-week period, and his instruction to me is to try and get him to Hawthorn this afternoon," Petroro said on October 15.
"He's motivated to get to Hawthorn, he's in a position where he feels like he's given his all to the Essendon footy club over the last 12 years, he's never wavered, he brought it all out, but he needs a fresh start, and he wants to chase success at Hawthorn."
Hawthorn offered Essendon Pick 9, a future first-round selection, a future second-round selection and Henry Hustwaite, which was rejected by the Bombers.
A month later, Merrett relinquished his captaincy, stepping aside entirely from the leadership group. Andrew McGrath has stood up in his place.
