Following his failed trade attempt to Hawthorn, Essendon star Zach Merrett was seen training at Arden Street alongside a host of North Melbourne players and Gold Coast recruit Christian Petracca.

A social media post made by the Kangaroos saw young gun Harry Sheezel greeting the pair of bona fide stars on a wet and miserable Monday in Melbourne.

Merrett and Petracca were among a host of North Melbourne players hitting the training track, including Toby Pink and Jacob Konstanty.

The footage came less than a week after Merrett was unable to be traded to the Hawks.

On an explosive trade deadline day, the six-time Crichton medallist's management was adamant that the deal put forward by Hawthorn would be suitable to broker a move.

Merrett's manager, Tom Petroro, offered a strong stance, saying he "needs a fresh start".

"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 AFL Trade Radio on Wednesday.

"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.

"I've never seen a deal like this for a 30-year-old. Two first rounds, a second round pick, it's massive collateral, and for a club that is in a phase where it's focusing on youth, I would've thought three top picks is probably better than a 30-year-old to take the club forward."

The Hawks' reported offer of Henry Hustwaite and three first-round picks was rejected by Essendon, with Channel 9's Tom Morris reporting that the club was after four first-rounders across the next three AFL Drafts, as well as a 2026 second-round pick.

Ironically, Merrett was spotted with Petracca, whose wish to join the Suns was granted by Melbourne.

The Demons secured Picks 7, 8, 37 and the Suns' 2026 first-round pick and a 2027 third-round selection in exchange for Picks 24, 28, Melbourne's 2026 second-round selection and the Norm Smith medallist.

The classy left-footer will remain in the red and black next year, although his role as captain could come into question.