Latest news with #ZachMerrett
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘It's fun': The AFL superstar with an old-school hobby
He's one of the AFL's star midfielders, but off the field, Essendon captain Zach Merrett has an old-school hobby. Since childhood, he has collected AFL player cards, and still does, when he's not racking up possessions during Bombers games. As a guest at the Hobby Hangout XL Trading Card Show on Sunday, Merrett signed player cards for rapt fans. One of Merrett's treasured pieces is a 1954 card depicting his great-uncle, Collingwood premiership player Thorold Merrett. Merrett said there was 'no way' he would sell it, but otherwise it was 'fun' to find cards he'd sought, and 'always exciting' to find a random gem. First in line to have Merrett sign the card that marked his 2016 Essendon best-and-fairest award was James Vincent, 34, of Sydenham, an AFL card collector since childhood. 'It's awesome to meet the person who's on the card and get their autograph,' Vincent said. Proving analogue pastimes are not dead, more than 5000 people attended the Hobby Hangout XL event at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton. It had 185 stalls – double the number at last year's event at Melbourne Pavilion. Co-organiser Tiffany Spurway said popular pieces on Sunday included Pokémon and NBA basketball cards and items featuring the Labubu monster character.
The Age
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
‘It's fun': The AFL superstar with an old-school hobby
He's one of the AFL's star midfielders, but off the field, Essendon captain Zach Merrett has an old-school hobby. Since childhood, he has collected AFL player cards, and still does, when he's not racking up possessions during Bombers games. As a guest at the Hobby Hangout XL Trading Card Show on Sunday, Merrett signed player cards for rapt fans. One of Merrett's treasured pieces is a 1954 card depicting his great-uncle, Collingwood premiership player Thorold Merrett. Merrett said there was 'no way' he would sell it, but otherwise it was 'fun' to find cards he'd sought, and 'always exciting' to find a random gem. First in line to have Merrett sign the card that marked his 2016 Essendon best-and-fairest award was James Vincent, 34, of Sydenham, an AFL card collector since childhood. 'It's awesome to meet the person who's on the card and get their autograph,' Vincent said. Proving analogue pastimes are not dead, more than 5000 people attended the Hobby Hangout XL event at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton. It had 185 stalls – double the number at last year's event at Melbourne Pavilion. Co-organiser Tiffany Spurway said popular pieces on Sunday included Pokémon and NBA basketball cards and items featuring the Labubu monster character.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bombers' Merrett cleared, stays eligible for Brownlow
Essendon captain Zach Merrett remains in Brownlow Medal contention after he was cleared by the AFL over his high contact with Sydney's Nick Blakey. Blakey passed a head injury assessment after he was struck in the head by Merrett as the players contested a loose ball in the Bombers' win over the Swans on Saturday night. The match review assessment on Sunday was that Merrett had his eyes on the ball and did not breach his duty of care to Blakey. "Merrett and Blakey approach the ball from opposite directions and with his eyes on the ball, Merrett attempts to tap the ball over Blakey's head and after making contact with the ball, Merrett makes high contact with Blakey," the AFL said. "It was the view of the match review officer that Merrett made a genuine attempt at the ball and that his actions did not constitute a breach of the duty of care he owed to Blakey." As of Sunday night, Merrett was fifth-favourite in Sportsbet's Brownlow market. Merrett attempted to hit the ball forward, but also made high contact with Blakey. The Swans defender then went off in the final minutes of the match and did not return. "I thought I tapped all ball; I was about to kick the goal," Merrett told Fox Footy after the match. "I haven't seen it, but I don't think there's anything to worry about." Sydney coach Dean Cox agreed there wasn't any malice on Merrett's part. "I think both players were just going at the ball," Cox said. "The timing … that's probably all I can say from watching it live. "I didn't have time to look at it after that. I was trying to get the result we needed." Adelaide defender Mark Keane, who took a game-saving mark in Saturday night's Showdown, was cleared of a match-day report for kicking Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson. Essendon's Will Setterfield was fined for tripping.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sydney Swans fans fume over Zach Merrett incident after Nick Blakey update
Zach Merrett will be waiting to hear back from the Match Review Officer after levelling Swans defender Nick Blakey in the final stages of Essendon's win over Sydney with AFL fans calling for consistency. The Swans could count themselves unfortunate to have gone down by eight points in their 11.5 (71) to 8.15 (63) loss at Marvel Stadium on Saturday evening with their goal-kicking a concern. However, the Swans could have also been left fuming with the moment in the fourth quarter halting their momentum. The first came when Essendon star Merrett played at a ball with a few minutes left and clipped Blakey in the head. Blakey played at the ball, but Merrett came over the top and collected Blakey in the head as the ball went flying. The Swans defender laid motionless on the ground for a moment, before continuing. He then made one of the plays of the year in defence just a minute later as he sprinted 30 metres to spoil a certain Essendon goal. Although Blakey was removed from the field for a HIA with just minutes left, which ruled him out of the contest. But in good news for the Swans, Blakey passed the HIA with the club set to monitor the defender for signs of concussion. Blakey should be set to line-up next for the Swans. Regardless, this leaves Merrett waiting to find out if the MRO feels he needs to spend time on the sideline. Speaking after the game, Merrett defended his actions. "I thought I tapped all ball, I was about to kick the goal," Merrett told Fox Footy. "I haven't seen it, but I don't think there's anything to worry about." Swans coach Dean Cox admitted: "Both people just going at the ball." While the players and coaches were coy on the incident, fans called for consistency. Swans star Lewis Melican was banned for three games last week for his swinging arm that collected Toby Bedford from the Giants. Reporter Alex Donnelly called for the AFL and MRO to show consistency, which would see Merrett cop a suspension after last week's precedent. Tigers legend Jack Riewoldt felt Merrett would be fine having not taken his eyes off the ball. 'That's a footy play … I think he's trying to tap the ball, and you can see clearly that his eyes are looking a the football. It's just an unfortunate accident," he said on Fox Sports. 'You can see Blakey in the rooms, he looks like he's okay after undergoing the HIA assessment.' Fox Footy reporter Jay Clark also didn't think Merrett would be in trouble. 'I think he'll be fine, I think it was a genuine attempt on the ball,' he said on Saturday night after the game. 'I think it was very different to the Lewis Melican on Toby Bedford that we saw last week. Melican got three matches for that heavy strike (but) Zach Merrett, he's looking at the ball. It's a bit of a glancing blow to Nick Blakey. 'I think his head hits the pillow tonight really comfortably. The ball is right there, it's an accidental clip of the head. Eyes on the ball, that's the big cue for the MRO. I think he'll be okay.' Fans were more divided with plenty feeling Merrett should face similar scrutiny as Melican did last week. If the AFL and the MRO is consistent;Lewis Melican got 3 weeks for his hit on Bedford last week, Zach Merrett must be suspended for his hit on Blakey too.#AFLDonsSwans — Alex Donnelly (@AlexJDonnelly) May 10, 2025 Huge consistency test for the AFL regarding Zach Merrett. All similar incidents have resulted in 1-2 week suspensions so far this year. Will we see a brownlow contender get off once again? #AFLDonsSwans — Brody Burrows (@BrodyBurrows) May 10, 2025 How many weeks? Same as Melican? — Vinnie Gulden (@CarnBloods) May 10, 2025 Eyes on the footy, got ball. No case to worry about — Kyle Hopkins (@Hoppo_22) May 10, 2025 Essendon captain Merrett is believed to be only behind Jordan Dawson and Brisbane Lions captain Lachie Neale in the Brownlow race. If he is suspended for two matches he will not be eligible to win the medal. Unfortunately for Essendon, Lewis Hayes apperaered to sustain an ACL injury in the victory. Coach Brad Scott was full of praised for the youngster and was devastated after the update. "Lewis Hayes looks like an AFL player, but unfortunately ... we'll wait to absolutely confirm, but it's almost certain that he's done an ACL," Essendon coach Scott said. "I don't know how you sort of handle all of this, other than to say when you face adversity, you've got to come through it. It's just devastating for 'Hayesy' because he's worked so hard to get this opportunity, and he took it. I thought he looked right at home."
News.com.au
10-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Bombers skipper Zach Merrett faces nervous wait after KO shot
Essendon captain Zach Merrett could be facing a nervous wait following a high shot on Sydney's Nick Blakey on Saturday. The incident unfolded in the final term with both men running towards a loose ball that had popped up into the air in Essedon's forward 50. With the ball in dispute, Blakey grabbed it out of the air as Merrett swung trying to knock it forward. Unfortunately for the Brownlow Medal fancy he completely missed the footy and collected the Swans defender in the head. The contact left Blakey flat on the Marvel Stadium turf before he returned to his feet and took the free kick. Things got worse for Merrett when Blakey left the ground and underwent a Head Impact Assessment (HIA) test. Merrett was asked about the moment shortly after the Bombers secured the 11.5 (71) to 8.15 (63) win over the Swans. 'I thought I tapped all ball – I was about to kick the goal. I haven't seen it, but I don't think there's anything to worry about,' Merrett said. The moment became the biggest talking point in the post-game wash up with replays showing Merrett simply had eyes for the ball. 'I think he'll be fine, I think it was a genuine attempt on the ball,' Fox Footy reporter Jay Clark said. 'I think it was very different to the Lewis Melican on Toby Bedford that we saw last week. Melican got three matches for that heavy strike (but) Zach Merrett, he's looking at the ball. It's a bit of a glancing blow to Nick Blakey. 'I think his head hits the pillow tonight really comfortably. The ball is right there, it's an accidental clip of the head. 'Eyes on the ball, that's the big cue for the MRO. I think he'll be okay.' Three-time premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt added: 'That's a footy play … I think he's trying to tap the ball, and you can see clearly that his eyes are looking a the football. It's just an unfortunate accident. 'You can see Blakey in the rooms, he looks like he's okay after undergoing the HIA assessment.'
