Essendon star Zach Merrett is unlikely to re-sign with the club until he sees a more positive direction, according to former teammate Brendon Goddard.
Merrett is out-of-contract next season and there have been whispers that he is frustrated about the Bombers' future, with Joe Daniher, Adam Saad and Orazio Fantasia all set to depart this off-season.
The 25-year old has emerged as a target for rival clubs, averaging 26.3 disposals and 4.3 marks per game in 2020 to finish second in the Crichton Medal.
Speaking on AFL Trade Radio, Goddard believes the star onballer wouldn't commit to a long-term deal unless he knows the club is heading in the right direction.
โI wonโt go into too much detail with respect for Zach, but heโs got his concerns,โ Goddard said.
โWeโre not naรฏve here, we can all see it that he needs to improve in certain areas and he thinks heโs identified the areas where it needs to improve and get better and heโs a really diligent guy who thinks deeply not only about his own game, but about the club and about success.
โIf Iโm in his shoes, and I havenโt talked to him about this particular instance, if the club were to put a deal in front of him, thereโs no rush to sign it.
โFrom his point of view, heโs in a position where heโs a really important player and will be for the next 10 years.
โHeโs in a position as a potential future captain where heโs said โpersonally, selfishly, I need to see these areas improved and for us to be on the right path and for there to be some confidence that weโre on the right trackโ.
โHeโll do his part, his own backyard will be clean I guarantee you that, โand if I start to see those things Iโll commit to the clubโ.
โThereโs no reason for him as a player to rush into a five-year deal if youโve got concerns.โ
"My interest in sport lies just as much off the field as it does on it."
Zach Merrett opens up about his 'shock' omission from Essendon's leadership group and how his mum is one of his greatest inspirations: https://t.co/7DQ2KOAqmE pic.twitter.com/AaZf2FniSq
— Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsunsport) September 5, 2020
Goddard even agreed with Merrett's decision, saying he wouldn't be committing long term either as "loyalty is a two-way street".
โI wouldnโt be (signing). Not with the concerns he has and if any other player has major concerns with the direction theyโre heading in, I donโt think itโs really clear at the minute unless theyโve discussed that with him in the last few weeks, but I donโt think that they have,โ he said.
โHe needs to be filled with confidence that this is the right place for him, particularly on such a long deal. Itโs a big commitment from a player to sign that.
โSelfishly from a player point of view โฆ as you get older you understand loyalty is a two-way street โฆ as you get older it becomes a business and life decision and the club will be the first to cut you off at the knees as Adam Treloar is going through at the minute.
โHeโs got his concerns and from all Essendon people, us included, we need to see improvement.โ
Tim Watson wants to hear from Zach Merrett's management. pic.twitter.com/bB6Lf50d70
— AFL Nation (@AFLNation) October 19, 2020
