AFL - VibeWire Magazine

Zach Merrett Steps Down as Essendon Captain Ahead of 2026

Club president Andrew Welsh called the move selfless, praising Merrett’s passion and elite standards after 251 games.

A “welcome to country” humiliation ritual at an AFL Women’s game has come under fire.

The AFL is a monster money making machine, they have changed the rules that much l can not keep up with the changes.

Seventh-placed teams will host 10th, and eighth will face ninth in elimination games on the former pre-finals bye weekend.

The decision stems from salary cap disputes and Carlton’s demand for an exceptional return.

Smaller deals continue, including Gold Coast trading Brayden Fiorini to Essendon.

Essendon rejected Hawthorn’s initial trade offer for captain Zach Merrett.

Curnow, contracted until 2029, toured Sydney’s facilities on October 13, completed a medical, and indicated openness to a pay cut.

The 53-year-old fills the vacancy left by Steven King, who moved to Melbourne.

More interestingly has Curnow poisoned his position at Carlton forcing a trade.