Sport
28 February, 2023
Zach Merrett to lead Bombers
COBDEN football export Zach Merrett will lead the Essendon Bombers in season 2023.
COBDEN football export Zach Merrett will lead the Essendon Bombers in season 2023.
Merrett, who was recently announced the 41st captain of the AFL side, said it was a huge honour to take up the position.
“This is a great club with a great future and I look forward to playing my role as an on-field and off-field later,” he said.
“I feel very humble to have been given this opportunity and I thank Brad Scott, the coaching staff, football department and my team-maters for their confidence.
“This is a privilege which I am very grateful for and am very much looking forward to.”
Merrett, who has played 184 games in his 10-year career to date, also captained two games during the club’s difficult 2016 season (as a 20-year-old).
He said there was now a “great energy around the group” and they were all united and aligned in their vision to take the Bombers back to being a successful football club.
Speedy defender Andrew McGrath has been named vice-captain.
Merrett replaces Dyson Heppell who has led the Bombers over six seasons.
“I hope we can reward him (Heppell) for his commitment with some great wins in 2023.”