‘The gloves are off’: Scott rules out trading Merrett, takes a swipe at Hawthorn and Mitchell

Frustrated Essendon coach Brad Scott has implored his want-away captain Zach Merrett to see his contract through, after confirming he was blindsided by a face-to-face meeting between the five-time Bombers best and fairest and Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell.

Scott, who reiterated that Essendon will not trade Merrett under any circumstances, also condemned Mitchell and Hawthorn, declaring “the gloves are off.”

Merrett met Mitchell, along with Hawthorn football boss Rob McCartney and Merrett’s high-profile manager Tom Petroro on Tuesday night, just three days before Hawthorn’s semi-final against Adelaide.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL-360 on Wednesday night, Scott admitted he was blindsided by Merrett’s meeting with Mitchell, especially after having him over for dinner just days earlier.

A candid Scott at one point even referenced his relationship with his captain to that of his children.

“This time last year we recommitted to Zach– we felt he was underpaid for someone who was performing at such a high level, so for the second time in three years we changed his remuneration to reflect his brilliant performance and his terrific leadership.

“We committed to him, he committed to us and, like our CEO who moved interstate to come here, who made a commitment to the club ... I made a commitment to the club. I intend to see my commitment through, and I expect our captain to do the same.

“Zach is a process-driven guy. He’s got a checklist and he’ll go through his process and wants to come to his own conclusion. So, in a way, this is Zach just doing his due diligence but, you know, it feels like we’ve done our due diligence two of the last three years.

“He is a contracted captain. Our club’s position is that we will not be trading him under any circumstances.”

Hawthorn are desperate to add class to their midfield next season. Jai Newcombe has emerged as a potential A-grader but is seen as a more inside bull, while Will Day continues to battle a lingering foot injury.

Mitchell was coy when pressed about Merrett on Wednesday morning ahead of his team’s final training session before heading to Adelaide for the clash with the Crows.

“I’m not sure – you’ll have to talk to the list management guys about that,” Mitchell said.

“I hope that they are working behind the scenes to improve our list. That’s what their job is, and I hope they’re going about that.

“It’s not really a focus for right this minute, but I think improving our list is what every club is doing. Everyone is trying to figure out how we can be better in 2026 than we were in 2025.”

To add a layer of intrigue, Merrett was standing on the MCG in his second season when Mitchell, who was then playing for Hawthorn, made a syringe gesture to Bombers players, referencing the infamous supplements saga that has plagued Essendon.

Mitchell said he later regretted the incident.

Scott’s tone changed when he was directly asked if he was disappointed in Mitchell meeting with his captain. He conceded times have changed dramatically.

“The gloves are off. All is fair in love and war and if they want to play at that game, we will play at it too.”

Merrett is contracted for two more seasons at Essendon.

The superstar midfielder, who turns 30 next month, is set to win his sixth Crichton Medal and is already one of the most decorated players in the history of the club.

Scott left the door ajar for Merrett to return to the club on day one of pre-season and continue to skipper the team.

“No one is perfect,” Scott said.

“I don’t think anyone’s captaincy is perfect, anyone’s coaching is perfect. It’s a learning process. Of course he can [still] be captain. Will it be a challenge, based on this situation? Absolutely it will be.”

Essendon’s board had indicated the club was not prepared to trade him.

This is not the first time Merrett has met with a rival club during a period in which he was reconsidering his future at Essendon.

In previous years, Merrett has sought catch-ups with Carlton captain (and friend) Patrick Cripps, and then-Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley.

This time last season, the Bombers captain fielded interest from St Kilda, who indicated they could make him a life-changing offer.

Merrett told this masthead at the time that the interest was serious enough that he felt compelled to discuss it with his partner, Alexandra, before dismissing the prospect of a trade.

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.