Zach Merrett has set his sights on turning Essendon right into a profitable AFL crew once more after being appointed as captain.
Merrett was voted into the function after Dyson Heppell made the shock choice to step apart final week.
Defender Andrew McGrath has been appointed vice-captain.
Heppell skippered Essendon in 107 matches, putting him fifth on the membership’s all-time listing for video games captained.
Merrett’s appointment means the Bombers will enter 2023 with a brand new captain, coach, chief govt, president, high-performance supervisor and board members.
Essendon have been mired in mediocrity for a lot of the previous 20 years, with their final finals win coming in 2004.
They completed fifteenth final season in a marketing campaign that resulted within the axing of coach Ben Rutten and a botched try and snare Alastair Clarkson as his alternative.
Merrett is without doubt one of the recreation’s finest midfielders, profitable two All-Australians and three best-and-fairest awards.
The 27-year-old, who served as vice-captain final season, is decided to guide the membership into an period of success.
“There’s great energy around the group,” Merrett stated.
“With Andy and I as captains, supported by a group of emerging leaders, we are all united and aligned in our vision to take us back to being a successful football club.
“This is a journey for all Essendon individuals – we’re bringing everybody alongside for the experience and we’re working actually arduous to make our members and supporters pleased with this crew once more.
“It is a huge honour to be selected as the next captain of Essendon.
“Some of the best names in Australian soccer have been captains of Essendon. From Reynolds to Clarke, Daniher, Hird and Heppell, it is humbling to affix this listing of champions of Essendon.
“This is a great club with a great future.”
New coach Brad Scott stated Merrett was the right chief to take the younger group ahead this season.
“This is an exciting time for our football club as change presents opportunity,” Scott stated.
“Zach and Andy are outstanding leaders who will progress this football club setting and demanding high standards.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
