Former Essendon captain Tim Watson believes a deal which would see current skipper Zach Merrett depart the club will not come to fruition.
The 30-year-old's future has been one of the main talking points of the trade period after he flagged his intent on a fresh start, with Hawthorn seen as the most likely destination for him.
Merrett has yet to officially request a trade and, with less than two days before the deadline closes, time is running out.
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“I believe that there was a lot of brinksmanship going on regarding Zach Merrett and Essendon’s stance,” Watson said on SEN on Tuesday morning.
“I don’t believe that any more. I believe that they will not do a deal with anybody and Zach Merrett will remain an Essendon player.
“I am convinced that is the case and that is exactly what will happen. There’s a conditioning process that’s probably been undertaken to this point.
“Hawthorn haven’t been able to pony up, they haven’t come forward with anything that’s going to turn Essendon’s head in any way. But even if they did, I don’t believe they’d actually do the deal now anyway.
“In my mind right now he’s 100 per cent an Essendon player next season and beyond.
“They can worry about how they bring him back in the fold and alleviate any concerns that he has about where they’re at right now.
“But they want him to remain and he will remain an Essendon player.”
Merrett won a sixth Crichton Medal as the club's best and fairest earlier this month, with many viewing his acceptance speech as a farewell to the club.
If a deal can't get made, Essendon and Merrett will have to navigate the potentially challenge of overcoming an awkward few weeks.
The midfielder reportedly met with Bombers coach Brad Scott, among other Essendon officials, on Monday.
“Last night, I heard it’s a long, long, long shot,” journalist Sam Edmund said on AFL Trade Radio.
“I was told yesterday there might be some movement.
“But he had talks at The Hangar yesterday with a range of Essendon officials. I cannot for the life of me get any context to that meeting and what was said.
“We’ve got two days left. It’s always been unlikely but I think it’s really unlikely now.
“There’s been no Hawthorn offer, no indication about what they’re prepared to give.”