‘Less is OK’: Why Mitchell wants Zach Merrett to forget the stats

‘Less is OK’: Why Mitchell wants Zach Merrett to forget the stats

Jon Pierik

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell insists ball magnet Zach Merrett is prepared to adopt a quality-over-quantity mantra in a bid to win an elusive premiership.

Merrett has been one of the game’s most prolific accumulators for more than a decade, averaging more than 27 possessions through 274 games with Essendon, and regularly having 30 or more when used extensively as a midfielder.

The seven-time Crichton medallist has joined an already deep Hawks midfield, and could be used in different roles as Hawthorn aim to go a step beyond successive preliminary final defeats.

Mitchell said Merrett, 31, simply craved team success, and would do what’s required in a bid to help the Hawks deliver their first flag since 2015.

“We don’t look at the statistics too much. Our playing group is very driven on team success,” Mitchell said on Wednesday after the Hawks confirmed Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD had signed a multi-year deal as their new principal sponsor, replacing the Tasmanian government.

“Obviously, as players establish themselves in the game in the early part of their career, there’s a lot of trying to get a game, and then once you get a game every week, then really it becomes about team success … team success is what drives you as you get a bit older.

“ … it’s been a work in progress to get him over to the club, and he’s very firm in his sight that he wants some team success. So, if that means big numbers, then great, big numbers. But if it means less, then less is OK as well. So we’ll measure it on team success, not on the individual, the same as everyone else.”

Merrett managed just four finals – all losing – in his time with the Bombers, the last in 2021.

He has spoken publicly several times since he was traded in October, a year after his initial bid failed, declaring a motivating factor to join the Hawks was team success.

Veteran forward Jack Gunston said Merrett would be a versatile weapon, having been used, at times, at half-back by the Bombers this year.

“He’s a quality player. Like he can play multiple roles, and you’ve seen that at Essendon when he was there, and he’s a leader,” Gunston said. “He’s been a captain for so long there, so he’s going to be great for a lot of these younger guys here. They are just going to pick his brain.

“He seems like a guy that just works and works and works, and comes in and does the hours. And, I was fortunate to play with Ben [King] and Zach for Victoria earlier this year, and they’re both professional, and yeah, they’re going to be great attributes for our club.”

King, the leading goalkicker in Gold Coast history, was another key recruit for Hawthorn, giving Mitchell and his men few, if any, outs, if they fail to deliver a flag next year.

Gunston said he and his fellow forwards would quickly learn to work alongside King.

The Hawks officially begin pre-season training later this month, still stinging from their nine-point preliminary final loss to the Brisbane Lions, having led by three points with one minute and 19 seconds left in the game.

“There’s an element of, yeah, ‘what if?’ I think watching the grand final, there’s an element of ‘what if’ as well,” Gunston said.

“But, in the end, we weren’t good enough, and that’s two prelims in a row where we haven’t been able to get over the line. So there’s a lot of motivation going around, and you don’t have to look too far.”

The Hawks’ lucrative 25-year partnership with the Tasmanian government ends next season, when they will again have four home games at their secondary base in Launceston. The Tasmania Devils will enter the competition in 2028, and have been given the opportunity to commercially dominate their local market.

Hawks chief executive Ash Klein said his club was always “open to opportunities” but “had not got to that stage” of asking whether they could continue to play at least one home game a season in Launceston.

Second chances: Roos to snap up discarded top-five pick

Peter Ryan

North Melbourne are expected to add delisted free agents Elijah Tsatas and Samson Ryan to their list during the delisted free agency period which runs until Friday.

Essendon used pick five in the 2022 national draft to select Tsatas, but he managed just 22 matches with the Bombers.

As a stoppage player, he was never able to break into the midfield with his kicking and ability to spread always questioned, but he will appreciate the second chance with the Kangaroos looking to add depth to their midfield.

Ryan battled to make an impression at Richmond and was suspended soon after an opportunity opened up this year when premiership ruckman Toby Nankervis was injured.

He is mobile and has had good grounding at the Tigers but remains a depth option, having played 31 matches since being taken at pick No.40 in the 2020 national draft.

Two industry sources, who preferred to remain anonymous as they were not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed the paperwork would be lodged this week before the deadline.

The Kangaroos have also indicated they will recruit former Lions defender Darragh Joyce. An opportunity to join a third club opened up for Joyce when the Kangaroos could not complete a trade with Adelaide to secure contracted defender Nick Murray. It is not clear whether he will join as a delisted free agent or via the rookie draft.

The Irish-raised Joyce has been a useful back-up defender for the all-conquering Brisbane Lions after crossing from St Kilda.

He came into the team whenever injury struck the backline, and although he battled at times at AFL level, he was consistent, and a popular and respected member of the group. He was an emergency in the 2025 grand final team which defeated Geelong.

Joyce has played 27 AFL games since making his debut in 2018.

St Kilda will add Jake Stringer to their list this week. It will be the Bulldogs’ premiership player’s fourth club after stints at Essendon and the Giants.

Former cricketer Wil Parker is also expected to join Carlton after being delisted by Collingwood. Sydney veteran Harry Cunningham will become a Crow via the rookie draft.

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.