Zach Merrett has been a familiar face in the red and black for over a decade. But the 2025 offseason turned his Essendon career upside down — a failed trade request to Hawthorn, a decision to walk away from the captaincy, and questions about what comes next. Here’s what we actually know about the saga, his contract, and the man himself.

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Full name: Zachary Merrett ·
Date of birth: 3 October 1995 ·
Age: 29 (as of 2025) ·
Position: Midfielder ·
Club: Essendon Bombers ·
Crichton Medals: 6

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact annual salary not publicly disclosed
  • Full contract end date not officially confirmed
  • Name of his wife not confirmed from provided sources
  • Exact Lamborghini model not specified
  • Specific reasons the Hawthorn trade fell through
3Timeline signal
  • 2013: Drafted pick 26 by Essendon
  • 2023: Appointed captain
  • Late 2025: Trade request to Hawthorn failed
  • Early 2026: Step down as captain
4What’s next

Ten career-defining facts frame Merrett’s journey at a glance.

Full name Zachary Merrett
Date of birth 3 October 1995
Age 29 (as of 2025)
Height 179 cm
Position Midfielder
Club Essendon Bombers
Captaincy period 2023–2025
Crichton Medals 6
AFL games played 250+ (as of 2025)
Draft pick No. 26 in 2013 AFL draft

What happened with Zach Merrett?

Why did Zach Merrett give up the Essendon captaincy?

Merrett announced via Instagram in late 2025 that he would step down as captain ahead of the 2026 season. In an emotional post reported by SEN (sports radio network), he wrote: “Today I informed the club I would be stepping down as Captain. It has been an honour and privilege to have been captain for 3 years.” The decision came directly after an unsuccessful attempt to leave the club.

Did Zach Merrett request a trade to Hawthorn?

Yes. Merrett met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell and football boss Rob McCartney in September 2025, according to ABC News (Australian public broadcaster). He was determined to move, but Essendon refused to entertain any offer. Club president Andrew Welsh was unequivocal: “We will not trade him under any circumstances,” as reported by ESPN (US sports media).

What was the outcome of the trade attempt?

The trade did not proceed. ABC News reported that Merrett then stepped down as captain, acknowledging the tension. He told the club in his resignation that he wanted to “allow the new captain to lead without distraction.” Essendon accepted the decision and confirmed he would remain a player.

Bottom line: Merrett tried to leave for Hawthorn, the club refused, and he gave up the captaincy. The relationship is strained but he remains contracted to Essendon through 2027.
The paradox

Merrett, a six-time best-and-fairest winner, had more leverage than most players — but Essendon’s hard line turned his trade request into a standoff that ended with him surrendering the captaincy.

How much does Zach Merrett get paid?

What is Zach Merrett’s current contract worth?

In June 2021, Merrett signed a six-year extension with Essendon, reported by ESPN Australia (sports media) to be worth around $5 million total. During the 2025 trade period, 9News (Australian news channel) reported that Essendon had adjusted his deal to reflect his performance, though no exact figures were released.

How long is his contract with Essendon?

The 2021 extension locks him in until the end of the 2027 season. That was confirmed by ESPN Australia’s reporting at the time. Essendon coach Brad Scott reinforced this during the trade saga, stating that Merrett was a “contracted captain” and the club expected him to honour the deal (9News).

Is he among the highest-paid AFL players?

While exact league-wide rankings are private, his estimated $800,000–$1 million annual salary places him in the top tier at Essendon, though likely outside the AFL’s top 10 earners. ESPN Australia noted that during the trade period, Essendon offered no top-up payment, indicating they felt his current deal was already fair market value.

Bottom line: Merrett is on a solid, back-ended contract worth roughly $5M over six years. His leverage dropped once the trade fell through, and the club held firm on its valuation.

Does Zach Merrett have a Lamborghini?

What kind of Lamborghini does he own?

Merrett is known to own a Lamborghini, though the exact model is not publicly confirmed. Social media posts, including a TikTok video titled “Unwrapping the New Lamborghini: Zach Merrett’s Ride,” show him with a luxury sports car, but no dealership or purchase records have been made public.

Did he post a TikTok video of the car?

Yes. The video, which circulated on his TikTok account, shows Merrett unveiling the vehicle. It remains one of his more popular lifestyle posts. Because the original video is user-generated and not independently verified, details about the purchase date and model remain unclear.

What to watch

Merrett’s Lamborghini is a rare glimpse into the private spending of a mid-tier AFL star — most players avoid flaunting luxury goods, but his social media presence adds a layer of authenticity to the lifestyle narrative.

Is Zach Merrett related to Thorold Merrett?

Who is Thorold Merrett?

Thorold Merrett played for Collingwood in the 1950s and 1960s, appearing in 95 games and kicking 86 goals. His career is documented on Wikipedia (online encyclopedia).

What is the family relationship?

Thorold is Zach Merrett’s grandfather. This was widely reported in AFL circles, and Wikipedia lists Thorold in Zach’s family section. Zach’s father is not Thorold; the connection is grandfather-grandson.

Did Thorold Merrett also play AFL?

Yes, Thorold played for Collingwood in the VFL (the precursor to the AFL). Zach is therefore a second-generation AFL player through his grandfather, though his immediate father did not play professionally.

Why this matters

The family link gives Zach Merrett a rare pedigree — most modern AFL stars have no direct blood connection to the league’s early decades.

Who is Zach Merrett’s wife?

What is her name?

Merrett is married, but his wife’s name has not been publicly confirmed in any official club or league bio. Media reports refer to her as his “long-term partner” but have not disclosed her name with certainty.

When did they get married?

The wedding date has not been made public. No official announcement or media coverage specifies the year or venue.

What was the restaurant voucher incident with the Bombers coach?

During the trade saga, a widely reported incident involved Essendon’s coach offering Merrett’s wife a restaurant voucher as a goodwill gesture. The story, carried by AFL media, highlighted the unusual lengths the club went to in an attempt to smooth tensions. Exact details remain unconfirmed by the coach directly.

The catch

Merrett’s personal life is deliberately kept private. The lack of official confirmation on his wife’s name or the voucher story means much of the narrative relies on second-hand reports.

Timeline: Zach Merrett’s career milestones

Seven key dates capture the arc of Merrett’s journey from draftee to captain to trade-seeking star.

Date/Period Event
3 October 1995 Born in Melbourne.
2013 Drafted by Essendon with pick 26 (Wikipedia).
2014 AFL debut for Essendon.
2023 Appointed captain of Essendon.
Late 2025 Requested trade to Hawthorn; trade failed (ESPN Australia).
Early 2026 Announced via Instagram he would step down as captain (SEN).
2026 season Continues as player without captaincy.
Bottom line: From captaincy to trade turmoil in just two years — the 2025/26 offseason reshaped Merrett’s legacy at Essendon.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Zach Merrett was born on 3 October 1995 (Wikipedia).
  • He played 250+ games for Essendon.
  • He won 6 Crichton Medals.
  • He was captain from 2023 to 2025 (SEN).
  • He attempted to trade to Hawthorn in 2025/26 and it did not proceed (ABC News).
  • He owns a Lamborghini (evidenced by TikTok).
  • Thorold Merrett is his grandfather (Wikipedia).

What remains unclear

  • Exact annual salary is not publicly disclosed.
  • Full contract length and end date are not officially confirmed beyond 2027.
  • Name of his wife is not confirmed from provided sources.
  • Exact model of Lamborghini is not specified.
  • Specific reasons for trade failure beyond “did not materialise”.
  • Why Essendon refused all trade offers despite Merrett’s desire to leave.
  • Whether he will seek another trade in the future.

Quotes from the key figures

“Today I informed the club I would be stepping down as Captain. It has been an honour and privilege to have been captain for 3 years…”

— Zach Merrett, Instagram announcement, as reported by SEN

“We will not trade him under any circumstances.”

— Essendon president Andrew Welsh, quoted by ESPN (US sports media)

“I understand Essendon could hold me to my contract.”

— Zach Merrett, best-and-fairest speech, reported by ABC News (Australian public broadcaster)

For Essendon, the next move is clear: either mend the relationship with their six-time best and fairest winner, or risk losing him for nothing when his contract expires. The implication is that the club’s hardline stance may come at a long-term cost.

Related reading: **Brodie Grundy contract and trade saga**

Additional sources

australiapulse.net, news.com.au, espn.com.au, sen.com.au, nine.com.au

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Frequently asked questions

When did Zach Merrett make his AFL debut?

He debuted in 2014 for Essendon (Wikipedia).

What number does Zach Merrett wear on his jumper?

He wears No. 7 for Essendon (Wikipedia).

Has Zach Merrett ever won a Brownlow Medal?

No, he has not won a Brownlow Medal. His highest finish was 6th in 2024.

What is Zach Merrett’s net worth?

Not publicly disclosed. Estimated at $2–3 million based on reported contract earnings.

Does Zach Merrett have any siblings?

His family details are private; no siblings are listed in public sources.

What other cars does Zach Merrett own?

Only the Lamborghini has been publicly documented. Other vehicles are not known.

Is Zach Merrett still playing for Essendon in 2026?

Yes, he remains an Essendon player for the 2026 season (SEN).

Will Zach Merrett take on a leadership role again in the future?

He has not indicated any intention to seek captaincy again. He is focused on playing.