Former Essendon player David Zaharakis says the captains he played under, Jobe Watson and Dyson Heppell, would never have considered walking away as current skipper Zach Merrett has, describing the club as a “rabble”.
The AFL 226-gamer, who was at Tullamarine during the fallout from the club’s drug scandal a decade ago but was not a member of the “Essendon 34” because he didn’t participate in the injection regime, said the club may have hit “rock bottom”.
“I honestly thought my period at Essendon was a pretty rough period – especially 2015-16,” Zaharakis said on Triple M.
“Everyone thought we had hit rock bottom, but I honestly believe we are very close, if not further, to rock bottom than what we were then.”
Merrett, who won a sixth Essendon best-and-fairest award last week, last month controversially met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell – a move which blindsided the Bombers.
David Zaharakis in 2021.Credit: Getty Images
Essendon have been adamant they won’t let Merrett, who is contracted until the end of 2027, leave the club. They repeated that stance on Monday.
“I respect the club’s position regarding their desire to retain me at the football club and fully understand what it means to be a contracted player and captain,” Merrett said.
“I acknowledge that there are complexities and uncertainty right now, regardless of the external noise and pressure. I’m willing and committed to continue working with the club and with the help of those closest to me work though those factors at play.”
Zaharakis, who finished playing in 2021, said it appeared Essendon had “gone backwards, rather than forwards”.
“In my time as a player, I never had a captain wanting to leave,” he said.
“[Former captains] Jobe and Dys, you’d never even think about them entertaining something like this. So, with Zach there and potentially entertaining that [trade], I wouldn’t think you’d want him to be a captain next year.
“I love Zach as a person, and he was a great teammate of mine, but it would be hard to look that person in the eye and say, ‘Are you fully committed to this footy club?’ Essendon are adamant that he’s staying, and they’re not trading him; I, personally, don’t see it happening [that he stays].”
