Sam Mitchell quiet on Hawthorn’s pursuit of Zach Merrett, Tim Watson says the Bombers skipper needs to speak up

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell played a straight bat to questions about his club’s interest in Essendon captain Zach Merrett after reportedly meeting with him as Bombers legend Tim Watson urged the skipper to confirm his intentions. Mitchell hasn’t shied away from chasing established stars, luring Josh Battle and Tom Barrass last season and meeting with West Coast captain Oscar Allen earlier this year. The Hawks were also in the hunt for young gun Harley Reid before he signed a two-year extension. It was widely reported on Wednesday that Mitchell had a face-to-face meeting with Merrett, who has two years remaining on his contract at Essendon but was left unimpressed after a recent meeting with club bosses following a tumultuous 2025. Mitchell did his best to divert questions about Merrett ahead of his team’s semi-final clash with Adelaide but hoped Hawthorn was actively chasing a better list. “I think it’s not really a focus for right this minute, but I think improving our list is what every club is doing,” Mitchell said when asked about improving midfield depth. “Every club is trying to figure out, ‘How can we be better in 2026 than in 2025?’ We’ll no doubt go down that path. “I am not sure (if we’ve met with Merrett), you’ll have to talk to the list management guys about that, but I hope they’re working behind the scenes improving our list. “That’s what their job is and I hope they’re going about that.” Essendon officials have categorically ruled out trading the 29-year-old Merrett, a five-time club best and fairest winner, and Bombers great Watson said it was time for the star to declare where he stood. “I think this whole thing can be put to bed within the next 24 hours,” Watson said on SEN Breakfast. “But if we do not hear from Zach Merrett within the next 24 hours, I think he needs to come out, alongside the club, and say, ‘This is what I want to do, I want to stay at Essendon’. “I think now is the time to put up or shut up. We need to hear from him.” Essendon has already lost free agent Sam Draper to either Brisbane or Adelaide.