Manager Tom Petroro ‘talking to Zach Merrett’ after Essendon captain’s trade wish to Hawthorn fails

Zach Merrett’s manager Tom Petroro cut a sad and frustrated figure after the AFL’s trade period expired and he was unable to orchestrate a move for his client.

Vision of Petroro was aired throughout the final day as he walked from Hawthorn’s trade room to Essendon’s, trying to broker a deal for the superstar captain.

Hawthorn’s final offer to Essendon for Merrett was Pick 10, Pick 22, a 2026 first-round selection, and fringe player Henry. Hustwaite. Hawthorn wanted Merrett and a 2026 third-round selection back.

Ultimately, it failed. The Bombers kept their six-time best-and-fairest winner.

It is thought Essendon wanted a king’s ransom for Merrett: four first round picks (10, 22, 2026 future first, and 2027 future first) plus a 2026 second-round selection.

They were also keen on receiving a player, one who would be guaranteed to start in their best team. That didn’t come.

At the end of the period, vision emerged of Petroro on his phone, alone and angry and deep in conversation. There was only one person he could be talking to.

“This is Tom Petroro moments ago on the phone. I suspect that’s Zach (Merrett),” Kane Cornes said on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters.

Experienced player manager Liam Pickering said: “He’s talking to Zach Merrett for sure.”

Cornes asked Pickering what would he be saying to him.

And Pickering could pick up some obvious body language.

“He’s swearing a bit,” he said.

“Yeah, he’s saying how frustrated he is. He’s angry. He’s really disappointed in the Bombers.

“And it is .. You feel helpless when you are in that situation.

“You’ve been working all day to try and get a deal done, and it doesn’t happen. It’s hard because you feel responsibility to the (client) ...

“He’s come out and made the play at the start of the day today. He said, this is what he’s doing. He’s going here.

“I just wonder whether they left their run a bit late ... the Hawks hadn’t spoken to Essendon until Monday.

“Zach went in front of the coach on (Monday) ... to say, ‘I’m out.’ Maybe that should have been done a little bit earlier. I’m not sure.

“But I feel for Tom and I feel for Zach, obviously.

“But, yeah, well done, Essendon. They’ve held their ground.”

After the deadline, Essendon list manager Matt Rosa acknowledged that first day of the pre-season “might be a little awkward” for Merrett as he faced his coach Brad Scott and his teammates.

But Rosa said that the Bombers’ playing group “want Zach back” and that the skipper was a “professional”.