Former number one pick and Essendon Vice-Captain Andrew McGrath has voiced his emotions and concerns for his football club after the rumours surrounding Zach Merrett.
Merrett is hopeful of securing a move to Hawthorn, according to journalist Cal Twomey, but he is yet to have made a public trade request from the Bombers.
McGrath, who is also part of the Bombers' leadership group, spoke about the emotional toll that comes with the rumoured departure of a spiritual leader and captain.
“There’s mixed emotions,” McGrath said to Channel Seven on Sunday.
MORE: Zach Merrett trade: Could Essendon captain join a club other than Hawthorn?
“There’s disappointment, there’s a little bit of anger, there’s sadness,”
“He’s obviously a superstar player for us, so to hear there’s a bit of instability around his future and the footy club is always disheartening.”
“I’ve spoken to both of them (Merrett and Ridley) this morning, Zach and I will catch up (on Monday), so we’ll talk about everything and understand a bit about the situation and what’s going on.
“Our conversation this morning, he wanted to give me a little bit of space while I was away (overseas on holiday), and I really respected that.”
Although Merrett has yet to have made a public trade request, his relationship with the Bombers is heading towards being untenable.
Reports state that he may not be attending their best and fairest night, despite being the favourite to win the award and being a five-time Crichton Medallist.
“We hope Zach attends — I think he’s a clear favourite to win the night; he’s had a fantastic year, and we have a lot to celebrate,” McGrath added.
If Merrett is to win his sixth Crichton Medal and not be in attendance, it would be an unprecedented act for any player seeking a trade - and it is unfathomable given that he is still the captain.
"This from Merrett hurts your reputation significantly,” Kane Cornes said on SEN.
“I was certain (that Essendon won’t let him go), but now the teammates have come out talking so it becomes difficult,”
“If 23 teammates come out and say they can’t play with him then not only can he not captain the club but he can’t play with them again."