If Zach Merrett were to leave Essendon (and that looks a certainty), what would the ideal trade package look like from a Bombers perspective?
It's a question I've been asking myself as an Essendon supporter, particularly after reading Aidan Cellini's article on Zero Hanger last week.
Replacing a player of Merrett's calibre is impossible. You don't simply find another six-time Crichton Medallist and one of the competition's elite midfielders overnight. The reality is that Essendon would need to use any deal to address multiple list needs while setting themselves up for the future.
The Bombers' most glaring issues are well documented. They desperately need another key defender, greater small forward pressure and class at ground level, while a long-term ruck solution also remains high on the priority list.
With that in mind, these are the trade packages that would make the most sense for Essendon from each of the four clubs most strongly linked to Merrett.
Package 4: Melbourne
Essendon receives: Xavier Taylor, Melbourne's 2026 First Round Pick (Pick 13), Gold Coast's First Round Pick (Pick 5)
Melbourne receives: Zach Merrett
Melbourne possesses arguably the strongest draft hand of any club linked with Merrett. The Demons also have a genuine need for an experienced elite midfielder capable of complementing Max Gawn, Jack Steele and Trent Rivers as they push for another premiership.
The addition of a talented young defender such as Xavier Taylor, combined with two first-round selections, would almost certainly have Essendon's list management team taking notice.
With Matt Rosa leading the Bombers' list strategy, this is exactly the type of package that would provide flexibility to attack the draft while adding another quality young player to the list.
If Steven King's rejuvenated Melbourne can add Zach Merrett to an already exciting list, they would become one of the competition's genuine heavyweights.
