Just days after Essendon president David Barham proudly admitted that his club was “leak free”, reports emerged that captain Zach Merrett had met with coach Brad Scott to express his disappointment in certain contract talks.
That very conversation, which saw Merrett reportedly defending teammates Jake Stringer and Jayden Laverde, who were not offered longer contracts when requested, sent Barham’s claim up in flames.
Just days after Essendon president David Barham proudly admitted that his club was “leak free”, reports emerged that captain Zach Merrett had met with coach Brad Scott to express his disappointment in certain contract talks.
That very conversation, which saw Merrett reportedly defending teammates Jake Stringer and Jayden Laverde, who were not offered longer contracts when requested, sent Barham’s claim up in flames.
“In a private meeting, in which Zach Merrett said that he was disappointed that two of his teammates, Jake Stringer and Jayden Laverde, hadn’t been offered longer contracts.
I haven’t reflected that much on what it was like during that period. If I try to stretch back now it was a unique period given I’d just signed on the year before for six years so I’d committed myself to the footy club. At any stage when your club is going through a bit of turmoil or isn’t performing well, you take on responsibility in trying to find ways to help it. Those decisions were clearly way above my head and I couldn’t impact that. We went overseas as a group, which was publicised, but I think it was great the boys stuck together. I got back from that trip and I had two weeks where I was just at home and was mentally and physically so drained. I was sick for a month I reckon, constantly coughing up phlegm, probably had COVID, I was rundown, really tired. I spent a few weeks to myself and reflected on where I was at individually, where the team was at and what I could do to help. I tried to really reset my body, mentally, physically and emotionally.
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