New Essendon captain Zach Merrett is in the end grateful for one of many low factors of his spectacular AFL profession.
Three years in the past, teammates voted him out of their management group forward of what would show a testing season, with the Bombers amongst golf equipment pressured to stay for a number of weeks in COVID-19 hubs.
But the leadeship exile solely lasted for 2020 and by June 2021, Merrett had rejected curiosity from rival Melbourne groups to signal a bumper six-year contract renewal.
Merrett had initially been appointed to the management group aged solely 20 and now, aged 27, he has way more perspective.
“That year was unique in a number of ways, being in a hub, being out of the leadership group,” he stated of 2020.
“It was a great opportunity. I spent three months with teammates I probably hadn’t spent time with before.
“Being in a management group from 20, you are pulled aside in quite a lot of methods, in conferences, formally, on a regular basis.
“Guys probably don’t want to say things around you when you’re in those groups … that was probably a great opportunity to learn and looking back now, it was a great asset for me.”
On Tuesday, Essendon introduced that Merrett would take over from Dyson Heppell, who had been captain since 2017 and determined final week to step down from the position.
Merrett stated Heppell had been a large affect on him since he joined the membership because the No.26 choose within the 2013 draft.
His appointment is the most recent change in a seismic low season at Essendon, who additionally now have a brand new coach (Brad Scott), chairman (David Barham) and chief government (Craig Vozzo) after final yr’s dramatic fall out of the highest eight.
Merrett will captain Essendon for the primary time in Thursday’s pre-season hitout on the Gold Coast towards the Suns.
“It doesn’t quite feel real yet … obviously amazing messages, phone calls from people close to me,” he stated.
“It will feel more real tomorrow up on the Gold Coast when we run out.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
