Dyson Heppell says he ‘can’t see’ star free agent Zach Merrett leaving Essendon

Essendon captain Dyson Heppell has declared he’s confident midfielder Zach Merrett will remain at the Bombers, saying he “can‘t see him leaving” at season’s end.

But while fellow on-baller Dylan Shiel would also love Merrett to stay, he says the gun free agent is entitled to leave his footy future options open at this stage of the year.

Merrett looms as one of the key figures of this year’s AFL exchange period, with the Bomber out of contract at season’s end and eligible for free agency.

Watch the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Every match of every round Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

The 25-year-old, subsequently, has been linked to an array of rival clubs, such as Carlton, Hawthorn, Brisbane, Melbourne, Collingwood and Port Adelaide.

But speaking on 3AW’s Sportsday on Wednesday night, Heppell said he could still only see Merrett wearing Essendon colours beyond this season.

Essendon’s Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia

Asked if he was confident he’d be at the Bombers in 2022, Heppell told Sportsday: “Personally, I certainly am. I think if we can just keep growing and improving each week, who knows where we’ll be by the back-end of the year, but if we can just keep embedding a really strong culture – and he‘s been a super part in creating the culture that we want, growing as a leader himself as well.

“To be honest, I‘d absolutely love for him to stay, obviously. I can’t see him leaving, but that’ll sort itself out, I suppose.”

In an honest interview with the Herald Sun, Merrett said he was still weighing up his options and wanted to see how much the Bombers’ playing group can “keep aligned” for a few more months before making a call.

LISTEN TO THE LATEST EDITION OF THE FOX FOOTY PODCAST HERE, OR TAP TO SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES OR SPOTIFY

MORE AFL NEWS

‘GET RID OF THE PITY PARTY’: Pies urged to act amid latest unrest reports

TRADE WHISPERS: Bomber’s new contract demand; top goalkicker in ‘holding pattern’

REINFORCEMENTS REQUIRED: Who every club could target in the mid-season draft

Speaking on RSN927’s The Breakfast Club, Shiel said “that’s Zach’s right” to have that mentality.

“You can‘t be angry or frustrated or have really any sort of feeling towards someone’s right. So he is too entitled to be in this position and to have not made a decision,” Shiel told RSN927.

“I‘m sure everyone’s really hoping that he stays. But if he doesn’t, then he doesn’t. But if he does, fantastic.

“The football club’s had to go through this in recent years with some serious talent leaving the club and we‘ve had to move on, we can’t be dwelling on it.

Dylan Shiel and Zach Merrett. Picture: Michael DodgeSource: AAP

“But when a guy of Zach‘s calibre remains at a club, it can be incredibly encouraging for the future.

“Hopefully he certainly remains with us.”

Heppell said he hadn’t previously read Merrett’s comments, but upon hearing them said it further highlighted Merrett’s character of being a “super driven competitor”.

“He’s extremely hungry for success. I just feel he wants the values of the club and the playing group, particularly, to be on the same boat that he‘s on,” Heppell said.

“Hopefully that‘s what he’s saying and we’ll continue to see for sure.

Get all the latest AFL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!