Essendon CEO Craig Vozzo has joined coach Brad Scott in shutting down trade rumours about Bombers captain Zach Merrett, whilst also taking a shot at a rival coach.
Rumours that Merrett wanted a trade away from the Bombers were raised again after reports that he met with Hawthorn, but Scott quashed talks that he would be traded last night.
Bombers CEO Craig Vozzo also put to bed any doubt about Merrett's future at the club, saying the captain wouldn't be traded under any circumstances.
“As Brad mentioned last night, the board’s position and, of course, with contracts of this nature, is a really important one to socialise through footy governance and board," Vozzo said on SEN Breakfast.
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“The strong position of our club is that Zach is contracted for the next two years, he’s a really important and critical part of where we’re heading, and he’ll be at our club.”
Vozzo also took a shot at Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell, who Merrett reportedly met with, saying he didn't like the Hawks coach meeting with the captain of his club after also meeting with West Coast Eagles captain Oscar Allen earlier this year.
“I know ‘Mitch’ well, having worked with him (at West Coast). It doesn’t surprise me," he said.
“But two club captains this year is an interesting one, one with a two-year contract."
“Yeah, I didn’t like that. But anyway, that’s life.”
Vozzo added that he understands Merrett's desire for success and hopes to mend the relationship going into next year.
“Zach is a highly driven guy, so we need to respect the fact that it’s been a long season for him,” Vozzo said.
“He is in his own mind has spoken to us around where he is at in his career. He’s excited with the young talent we’ve got on our list. Is it going to coincide with where he wants to head? We understand and respect that.
“The first point is respect for the other person’s opinion. Then there’s rebuilding relationships. It’s not the first time this type of thing has happened at a football club. We saw it last year with Christian Petracca."