Zach Merrett’s Wife Speaks Out in Heartbreak as Essendon Blocks Star’s Desperate Bid to Join Hawthorn
- AFL star Zach Merrett’s wife Alexandra has expressed her disappointment on social media after Essendon refused to trade her husband to Hawthorn.
- Hawthorn defender Blake Hardwick took a public jab at Essendon, posting a photo of the club’s logo with the caption “Alcatraz” before quickly deleting it.
- The failed trade has left Merrett facing an awkward reunion with Essendon, with two years remaining on his contract.
Zach Merrett’s wife Alexandra has broken her silence on the failed trade that has left her husband stuck at Essendon. In a blunt Instagram comment, she expressed her disappointment, simply stating: “It’s not great Dan.”
The comment came after Hawthorn defender Blake Hardwick took a swipe at Essendon, posting a photo of the club’s logo with the caption “Alcatraz” on his Instagram story. The post was quickly deleted, but not before it sparked a heated reaction from fans and pundits alike.
Hardwick’s jab at Essendon was seen as a reference to the maximum-security prison, implying that the club is impossible to escape from. The post was later replaced with a photo of Alcatraz itself, with no caption.
Kane Cornes, a former AFL player and current commentator, defended Hardwick’s post, saying: “I don’t really mind Hardwick having a crack at another club… it’s kind of funny.”
The failed trade has left Merrett facing an awkward reunion with Essendon, with two years remaining on his contract. The star midfielder had been desperate to join Hawthorn, but Essendon refused to budge, despite the Hawks offering a suite of draft picks and player Henry Hustwaite.
Merrett’s manager Tom Petroro had been vocal in his criticism of Essendon, suggesting that the club was “crazy” not to accept the trade offer. However, Cornes hit back at Petroro, saying: “He underestimated the Bombers… he spoke publicly for the first time about Zach wanting to get out about three hours before the deadline.”
Cornes added: “He was putting a lot of blame on the Essendon footy club, suggesting that they’re almost crazy to not accept that deal for a 30-year-old… but he underestimated what this meant to the Essendon footy club.”