Essendon coach Ben Rutten has backed star midfielder Zach Merrett to commit to the club despite revealing contract negotiations are yet to get underway.
Merrett had been tabled a long-term deal by the Bombers last year but opted not to pick up the pen before assessing his options in the trade period.
The 25-year-old eventually confirmed he would be remaining with the Bombers for 2021 and enter the final year of his current contract as a restricted free agent.
Merrett will once again be looking at all avenues this season before making a call on his future.
While it will leave the Essendon faithful nervous throughout their upcoming campaign, Rutten remains confident in Merrett's commitment moving forward.
"Last season he was left out of our leadership group which no doubt would have rocked him a little bit because he is an ambitious, driven guy," Rutten told AFL.com.au.
"But I think we've seen a better version of Zach last year and I think that his experience over the last 12 months will be the best thing for him.
The pick-up. The run. The punt from 60m.
Zach Merrett! #AFLCrowsDons pic.twitter.com/TfQcwyQBaI
— AFL (@AFL) July 19, 2019
"He's come back into our leadership group this year and he's having far greater influence over more people, he's got stronger relationships with our playing group and he's still got that drive and determination to be the best he can possibly be. He's a driven guy, he wants to be a premiership player.
"I've loved what I've seen from Zach over the summer and am really looking forward to what he's going to do for us this season."
Rutten revealed that the club were yet to re-open contract discussions with their star onballer, stating the matter will be resolved in due time.
"It's so early in the season, we haven't bounced a ball yet for the 2021 season. What I can tell you though is that Zach is [as] committed and engaged as I've ever seen him," he said.
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"He wants to be good, he wants us to be good, so I'm sure that will play out through the season but it's pretty early still in the season. I know it's a great talking point but I'm sure that will sort itself out."
While Merrett was a significant story in last year's exchange window, plenty of Bombers fans were fixated with their clubs interest in Bulldogs gun Josh Dunkley.
Having lost out on retaining Joe Daniher, Adam Saad and Orazio Fantasia, Essendon were loaded with three top 10draft selections in their bargaining purse.
Despite their war-chest of trade options, a deal failed to land between the Dogs and Bombers and Dunkley remained at Whitten Oval.
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Rutten spoke on the club's interest on Dunkley whilst playing a straight bat in their pursuit moving forward.
"Again, it's really early to tell," Rutten said.
"Josh I'm sure has got back into the Bulldogs and is fully immersing himself in their program which he should do. For us out of our trade period I think we did really well and we're just keen to see how those guys integrate and complement our playing group."
Rutten will get his official Bombers account underway next week when the Bombers face Hawthorn in their season opener on Saturday, March 20.
