Essendon chief executive Craig Vozzo has admitted he was left “surprised” by the way Hawthorn handled negotiations for star midfielder Zach Merrett, after the Bombers rejected a blockbuster late offer during the trade window.
Despite Merrett’s clear desire to join the Hawks and a meeting with coach Sam Mitchell weeks earlier, Hawthorn only made formal contact with Essendon about 30 hours before the trade deadline, a move that didn’t sit well with Vozzo.
“The first contact we had from Hawthorn was about 30 hours before the deadline, with a first and final offer, which had a seven-hour deadline,” Vozzo told Trade Radio.
“I was disappointed in the way that was presented. It was an unusual way to go about things... we all go about our business in different ways and that’s the way they decided to approach it. I was surprised, very surprised.”
Hawks defend their stance
Hawthorn’s final proposal included Picks 10 and 22, a future first-rounder, and young midfielder Henry Hustwaite, an offer Essendon promptly turned down. New Bombers president Andrew Welsh had already made it clear the club would not part with their captain under any circumstances.
Hawks football boss Rob McCartney, however, stood by their approach, telling Trade Radio: “If you listen to the narrative, it was that it needed to be an exceptional offer that was put in front of Essendon. We felt we did that, but we just weren’t prepared to agree to a ridiculous one.”
The failed trade has reignited tensions between the two historic rivals, whose fierce contests date back to the 1980s and the infamous “Line in the Sand” clash. With Essendon now set to keep Merrett, albeit likely without the captaincy, and the Hawks left empty-handed, next year’s expected Round 1 rematch promises to carry an extra edge.