The rivalry between Essendon and Hawthorn would have hit new heights if Zach Merrett was granted a trade to the brown and gold in last year's off-season, according to former Hawk Campbell Brown.
"It would've been sacrilege. And you don't blame Essendon for putting their foot down and not letting the trade to go through," Brown told Zero Hanger.
The checkered history between the two proud clubs started in the 1983 Grand final, which kickstarted three consecutive deciders.
The 2004 'Line in the Sand' melee and Matthew Lloyd's bump on Brad Sewell five years later also reignited the hatred between the two clubs.
But Brown couldn't even imagine stealing the arch-rivals captain.
"I think they'll always have that great rivalry and history because of the incidents in the past," he said.
"There's a healthy respect there. There's no doubt about that. But I mean imagine if (Hawthorn) could've stolen the Essendon captain. That would have been something that's never been done before.
"The rivalry is still there."
That rivalry is embedded into both clubs.
Essendon will host Hawthorn in Round 1 at the MCG under Friday night lights, placing a microscope on the Merrett trade saga once again.
The six-time Crichton Medallist has momentarily smoothed over the awkwardness with his teammates to a point where preliminary talks over an extension at the Bombers beyond 2027 has occurred.
Only time will tell how the black and red army receive its former skipper next week, but there is a bigger play at hand. Winning.
Brown says in the Hawthorn calendar, games against Essendon were the ones to circle. The feeling would be mutual.
"It's one of those things when you're first drafted to Hawthorn, you're indoctrinated into this hatred towards Essendon by the past greats of the club," the premiership Hawk said.
"Certainly from a Hawthorn perspective, as soon as the draw came out, it's one of two games you really look forward to playing the most.
"And while those two great clubs, Hawthorn and Essendon are around, they'll always want to knock each other off."
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