ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 31: Zach Merrett of the Bombers is tackled during the round 19 AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and the Essendon Bombers at Adelaide Oval on July 31, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Essendon has announced that 20-year-old, Zach Merrett, will skipper the side this weekend against the Suns in the absence of injured captain, Brendon Goddard.
Merrett will become one of the club's youngest ever captains at just 20 years and 316 days.
He is in his third season at Essendon and has played 56 games since his debut 2014.
Merrett has enjoyed a stellar season, ranked No.1 at Essendon for disposals, tackles, inside 50s, clearacnes, contested possessions and uncontested possessions.
He is also ranked No.5 in the league for uncontested possessions, No.6 for inside 50s and eight for tackles.
Western Bulldogs' midfielder Marcus Bontempelli became the youngest player to ever captain a winning side when he took the rein at just 20 years and 194 days in Round 11 against West Coast.