‘He’s playing at Essendon’: Welsh emphatic Merrett will stay a Bomber as he assumes top job from Barham

Incoming Essendon president Andrew Welsh has declared captain Zach Merrett will be at the club in 2026, and urged the entire Bombers community to unite behind his administration as defender Jordan Ridley affirmed his commitment to the club.

Former player Welsh was on Tuesday unveiled as the successor to departing president David Barham, who announced he would be stepping down amid off-field drama over Merrett’s playing future and the club’s poor on-field performance this year.

Speaking Tuesday night on Channel Nine’s Footy Classified, Welsh acknowledged the captain’s frustration with the club’s poor on-field performance and injury record, but was adamant the relationship between the Bombers and Merrett could be salvaged.

“He (Merrett)’s a winner. He’s an Essendon person. He’s a fantastic guy. He’s thinking through what best for Zach into the future. But I can say he’s playing at Essendon,” Welsh said.

“I hear [people saying] ‘well, he’s made this call, it’s not recoverable’. [But] football clubs are amazing places of forgiveness and embracement. And I can guarantee you, day one of pre-season with Zach things will be resolved, and he will be the very best footballer and the very best champion player that he’s been for the club, and will continue to be.”

Earlier on Tuesday Welsh issued his first public statement to fans and members, reiterating the Bombers’ hardline position on Merrett – who, despite not having formally issued a request for a trade, wants to move to Hawthorn.

Merrett on Monday night made his first public appearance with teammates since it emerged he had met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell a fortnight ago to discuss a change of club.

With picks eight, 26, 55 and 69 in this year’s draft, the Hawks do not hold the selections that would tempt the Bombers into parting with ways with their five-time best and fairest winner, who would significantly bolster a midfield that was exposed by Geelong in the preliminary final.

“We have spoken publicly and continue: Zach’s a required player, he’s contracted to the club. So we won’t be entertaining any trade for Zach,” Welsh said in an interview on the Bombers’ website.

“At the core of it, I think Zach is such a fantastic Essendon person that I’m confident come preseason that he’s going to add a significant value through these recent experiences for the group.”

Also on Tuesday, the Bombers released a statement to announce that Ridley was staying, putting to bed earlier reports the 2020 Crichton medallist was also seeking a trade while under contract.

“This off-season gave me a crucial opportunity to reflect on a challenging few years with injury. During that time, it became incredibly clear that my future is with Essendon,” Ridley said vis the Bombers’ website.

“I’m fully committed to playing my best football here. I have immense faith in [coach] Brad Scott and the direction he’s taking this developing group.”

Welsh, formerly the vice-president to Barham, has called for calm among Bombers members and fans as the club strives to end two decades of on-field mediocrity.

By resigning, Barham has avoided a potential board challenge, paving way for the widely admired Welsh – who played 162 games for the Dons from 2002-2011 – to take over the top job.

In a sign Welsh was being groomed to take over, he recently joined Barham’s dinners with club chief Craig Vozzo and coach Brad Scott.

“To our members, your support is more important than ever right now,” Welsh wrote in a letter to members.

“It’s not lost on any one of us that it has been 25 years since the club has tasted the ultimate success, and every person connected to Essendon is working extremely hard to deliver this to our members and supporters.

“The power of Essendon has always been in our unity. When we stand together as one, as players both past and present, coaches, staff, volunteers, partners, members, supporters, and our Essendon community – we can be formidable again.”

Barham said he had made tough decisions as Essendon boss.

“I have given my all over the past three and a half years and tackled every challenge with everything that I have. I took my responsibility to fight for and defend our club, its players, coaches and administrators extremely seriously,” Barham wrote in his letter to members.

“I’m proud of what we have achieved in transforming the club and making the hard decisions to set it up for long-term, sustained success. I have no doubt we are now on the right track, and I leave excited about the future.”

Barham attended the Brownlow Medal on Monday night, where Merrett addressed his future for the first time since it was revealed he had met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell.

Merrett has not requested a trade but has not committed to returning to the Bombers.

“I haven’t worked through my preference yet. There is a lot of stuff to go through in the next few weeks, there will definitely be some conversations, some factors at play,” Merrett said on the Brownlow red carpet.

“But there is a fair bit of uncertainty all around, things will be made clearer in the coming weeks.”

Nine News reported on Sunday night that a board challenge was brewing at the Bombers.

Barham’s pre-emptive move to hand over to Welsh is expected to defuse that situation.

Welsh, who met with Merrett last week, was a tough defender and former vice-captain of the club who has since established a successful career in property development.

He joined the Essendon board when Barham took over the presidency in 2022 as director of football governance.

“Andrew, the board and I have been working collaboratively to put a succession plan in place for some time, and I am delighted that Andrew is now able to take on the role, and he will take over responsibility from today,” Barham said in his letter.

“I have been thinking about this decision for a while, and feel the timing is right.

“I convened a meeting of the board this morning where I informed them of this decision. I will now take steps to fully exit the board in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition.”

As president, Barham presided over the sacking of then-coach Ben Rutten and the appointment of Brad Scott ahead of the 2023 season.

Both developments were messy; the then rookie president apologised for leaving Rutten in the dark during a botched pursuit of Alastair Clarkson, before club legend Kevin Sheedy (then a director) publicly revealed he had supported James Hird’s bid to return as coach over Scott.

Barham’s administration presided over the exit of Sheedy from the board, a new CEO in Craig Vozzo (after the short-lived appointment of Andrew Thorburn, who resigned over a conflict with views espoused by his church), and a new list boss in Matt Rosa.

“Since becoming president, I have repeatedly said that sustained, long-term success relies on unity, stability and alignment and this transition to Andrew Welsh ensures that [is] maintained,” Barham said.

“Andrew will be an outstanding president, and it has been a privilege to work with him. He is driven and will bring fresh energy to the role, an energy we need to continue to build and develop the club and achieve on-field success.

“As we all loved him as a player, Andrew’s uncompromising but compassionate approach, football knowledge and strategic thinking have been brilliant to watch and are great assets to the club.”

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