Essendon fans have been through a lot with Zach Merrett — from watching him rise through the ranks to seeing him lead the club, then step down. Now, with trade rumors swirling and his personal life in the spotlight, it’s time to sort fact from speculation.

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Age: 30 (born 3 Oct 1995) ·
Height: 179 cm ·
Club: Essendon Bombers ·
Position: Midfielder ·
Crichton Medal wins: 6 ·
Games played: 250+

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Six-time Crichton Medalist (ABC News)
  • Essendon captain from 2023 to 2025 (AFL.com.au)
  • Contracted through 2027 (7NEWS)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact salary figures remain private
  • Whether he will request a trade in future
  • Reason for stepping down as captain not fully explained
3Timeline signal
  • 2025: Met Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell; trade talks collapsed
  • 2025: Won sixth Crichton Medal
  • 2025: Resigned as captain
4What’s next
  • Remains at Essendon under contract through 2027
  • Leadership role uncertain after stepping down
  • Trade speculation expected to continue

Six key facts, one snapshot: Zach Merrett’s career is built on consistent elite performance, but his future at Essendon is now the big question mark.

Label Value
Full Name Zachary Merrett
Date of Birth 3 October 1995
Club Essendon Football Club
Position Midfielder
Draft Pick 26, 2013 AFL Draft
Marital Status Married to Georgia Merrett

The table shows the core identifiers that define the player off the field.

What is going on with Zach Merrett?

The biggest story surrounding Merrett in 2025 was his attempt to move to Hawthorn while still under contract. According to AFL.com.au (the league’s official news site), Merrett met Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell during the finals series. Essendon responded by demanding an unprecedented four first-round draft picks for the six-time club champion — a price Hawthorn refused to meet.

Is Zach Merrett leaving Essendon?

As of late 2025, Merrett remains an Essendon player. 7NEWS reported that Essendon president Dave Barham stated he was “not for trade”. The club stood by its position that the contracted star would stay. ESPN (sports news outlet) confirmed Merrett had unsuccessfully tried to move to Hawthorn while under contract through 2027.

The implication: Merrett is locked in for now, but the relationship between player and club has clearly been tested.

Did Zach Merrett step down as captain?

Yes. AFL.com.au reported in November 2025 that Merrett had resigned as captain after the failed trade. He had led the Bombers since 2023, taking over from Dyson Heppell. The club said the decision was mutual, but the timing — immediately after the trade saga — suggests the captaincy had become a complication.

The trade-off

Merrett kept his place on the list but lost the captaincy. For a player who had been the face of the club, that’s a significant shift in status.

Is Zach Merrett injured?

Merrett has a remarkably clean injury record. He played his 250th AFL game in 2025 and has missed very few games throughout his career. AFL.com.au’s coverage noted his durability as a key asset. There are no current injury concerns.

Merrett remains at Essendon but lost the captaincy after a failed trade attempt: the club drew a hard line, and his leadership role is now undefined.

How much does Zach Merrett get paid?

Exact salary figures are not publicly disclosed, but reports give a clear picture of his earnings. ESPN Australia (sports news outlet) reported that the six-year deal he signed in 2021 was worth about $5 million. Fox Sports (sports news outlet) reported that by January 2025 his salary had been revised from roughly $900,000 to over $1 million per season.

How long is Zach Merrett contracted?

Merrett is under contract with Essendon until the end of the 2027 AFL season. 7NEWS (Australian news outlet) confirmed that the club’s position was based on this existing contract.

What is Zach Merrett’s contract status?

He signed a long-term extension in June 2021. ESPN Australia reported the deal as a six-year commitment. That contract remains in force, making him one of Essendon’s highest-paid players.

The pattern: Merrett is well compensated but the club’s demand for four first-round picks shows they value him even more than his salary suggests.

Is Zach Merrett related to Thorold Merrett?

No. Thorold Merrett was a Collingwood player in the 1950s and 60s. While the surname is the same, there is no confirmed family connection. Wikipedia (encyclopedic source) does not list any relation, and no public records link them.

Is Zach Merrett related to Roger Merrett?

Roger Merrett played for Essendon and Brisbane in the 1980s and 90s. Again, no relation. Wikipedia confirms that Zach Merrett is not related to either former player.

Who is Zach Merrett’s father?

His father is Paul Merrett, a former amateur footballer and plumber. Essendon FC (official club site) has referenced his family background in profile pieces, but detailed public information is limited.

The catch

Despite the famous surname, Merrett’s football lineage is not from the AFL greats. His father played local football, not at the elite level.

Who is Zach Merrett’s wife?

Zach Merrett married Georgia Kenneally in 2022. Instagram (personal social media) shows the couple’s wedding and their life together. Georgia is a former netball player.

Does Zach Merrett have children?

Yes. As of 2025, Merrett and his wife have one child. The couple has shared photos on Instagram but has not publicly disclosed the child’s name.

Why this matters: Merrett’s personal life has become a point of public interest, and his family responsibilities may influence future decisions about staying in Melbourne or moving interstate.

How old is Zach Merrett?

Born on 3 October 1995, Merrett turned 30 in October 2025. ABC News (Australian public broadcaster) noted his age when reporting on his sixth Crichton Medal win.

How tall is Zach Merrett?

He stands at 179 cm (5 ft 10 in), which is slightly below average for an AFL midfielder. Wikipedia lists his height and playing weight.

What are Zach Merrett’s career stats?

Merrett has played over 250 AFL games, averaging 25 disposals per game. He has been a model of consistency. AFL.com.au covered his 250th game milestone in 2025. His disposal efficiency and contested possession numbers are among the best at Essendon.

Has Zach Merrett won any awards?

Merrett has won the Crichton Medal as Essendon’s best and fairest six times: 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2025. ABC News confirmed the 2025 win. He was also selected in the All-Australian team in 2023 and served as Essendon captain from 2023 to 2025.

The trade-off: Merrett’s individual accolades are outstanding, but team success has eluded Essendon during his tenure. Winning a premiership remains the missing piece.

Timeline

  • – AFL debut for Essendon
  • – First Crichton Medal win
  • – Married Georgia Kenneally
  • – Appointed Essendon captain
  • – Played 250th AFL game; won sixth Crichton Medal; attempted trade to Hawthorn; stepped down as captain

Clarity: Confirmed vs Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Born 3 October 1995
  • Six Crichton Medals (2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2025)
  • Stepped down as Essendon captain in 2025
  • Married to Georgia Merrett
  • Contracted through 2027

What’s unclear

  • Exact salary figures
  • Whether he will request a trade in future
  • Full reason for stepping down as captain
  • Details of his relationship with the club post-trade saga

Quotes

“Essendon could still hold me to my contract.”

— Zach Merrett, speaking at the 2025 Crichton Medal ceremony (ABC News)

“He is contracted and not for trade.”

— Dave Barham, Essendon president, September 2025 (7NEWS)

Summary: Zach Merrett remains at Essendon, but his role has fundamentally changed. The captaincy is gone, the trade attempt is public, and the club has drawn a hard line. For Merrett, the path forward is clear: either recommit fully to the Bombers with a new leadership role, or face another round of trade speculation in 2026. For Essendon, the choice is to rebuild around a 30-year-old champion or cash in on his value while they can.

Additional sources

surprisesports.com, sportnation.nz, sen.com.au, youtube.com, sportingnews.com, sportingnews.com

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Frequently asked questions

What is Zach Merrett’s net worth?

Exact net worth is not public, but his 2021 contract was worth about $5 million over six years, placing his net worth in the multi-million dollar range.

Does Zach Merrett have children?

Yes, he and his wife Georgia have one child as of 2025.

What jersey number does Zach Merrett wear?

He wears number 7 for Essendon.

Where did Zach Merrett go to school?

He attended Cobden Technical School in his hometown of Cobden, Victoria.

What is Zach Merrett’s Instagram handle?

His Instagram handle is @zachmerrett.

Has Zach Merrett ever been suspended?

He has a clean disciplinary record and has never been suspended by the AFL.