Highly rated Essendon senior assistant coach Daniel Giansiracusa has made a stunning switch to Hawthorn just hours after Bombers skipper Zach Merrett singled out his influence in his best-and-fairest speech.
Merrett, who is expected to officially request a trade the Hawks in the coming days, won his sixth Crichton Medal on Thursday night.
In his acceptance speech, when he all but farewelled the club’s faithful, the 30-year-old praised Giansiracusa for his “personal guidance”. A 265-game veteran with the Western Bulldogs, Giansiracusa has spent the past six years at Essendon in a range of coaching roles.
“To our coaches, led by Brad [Scott], thank you for the effort and energy you’ve continued to put in to turn things around for this group,” Merrett said.
“I don’t think he’s here, but to Gia [Giansiracusa] your personal guidance has been profound. I look forward to you one day being a senior coach – then I can say I worked with him closely. You’re a star.”
The Bombers were blindsided when news broke that Merrett had met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell three weeks ago. While stressing that he’s motivated to “make the best possible decisions for my career and family”, Merrett acknowledged that, as a contracted player, a deal must still be reached to satisfy the Bombers.
Hawthorn announced Giansiracusa on Friday as their head of development.
“One of his obvious strengths is building great relationships with his players. He not only has a clear understanding of the development needs, but also has a proven ability to design and lead programs that will make our players better,” said Hawks’ executive general manager of football, Rob McCartney, of Giansiracusa, who’d also been linked to a vacant role at Collingwood.
“Daniel brings a breadth of experience and knowledge, not dissimilar to when Sam Mitchell held the role as head of development as an aspiring AFL senior coach.”
Essendon have been adamant they won’t let Merrett, who is contracted until the end of 2027, leave the club.
“The past two weeks have certainly been difficult for me, my family, and for many people in and around the Essendon Football Club,” said Merrett on Thursday night at Melbourne Park’s Centrepiece.
“I respect the club’s position regarding their desire to retain me at the football club and fully understand what it means to be a contracted player and captain.
“I acknowledge that there are complexities and uncertainty right now, regardless of the external noise and pressure. I’m willing and committed to continue working with the club and with the help of those closest to me work though those factors at play.”
In winning another Crichton Medal to close the gap on Australian Football Hall of Fame legends Dick Reynolds and Bill Hutchison (both with seven Essendon best and fairests), Merrett hardly committed his future to the club that drafted him with the No.26 pick in 2013.
‘If I’ve learnt anything across my last 12 years … it is more than just being passionate or hoping the club will get better. In elite sport you must execute the shared vision to perform at the highest standards day in, day out.’
Essendon skipper Zach Merrett
“I don’t have control over what others say or do, but from my perspective, I will always show care and consideration for the fans, my teammates, coaches and the club, even if we disagree on some things, that’s my commitment, and it will not waver,” he said.
“What I can say categorically is my approach to football has always been the same – that is to stay ultra-professional, gather the right information from people I trust and make the best possible decisions for my career and family.
“No club should be defined by one person, and Essendon is no different.
“It’s the sum of all parts that makes the club what it is.
“If I’ve learnt anything across my last 12 years, a time that I’ve shared with 160 teammates … and under the leadership of five coaches – it is more than just being passionate or hoping the club will get better. In elite sport you must execute the shared vision to perform at the highest standards day in, day out.”
Scott only had words of support for Merrett, telling the Essendon faithful: “You’ll always have my full support” and “thanks for everything you’ve done”.
Soon after the count began, new Bombers president and former player Andrew Welsh used his speech to call for the club to galvanise. “We win together, we lose together, but we stick together,” Welsh said.
Those words seemed particularly pointed, given Merrett is facing arguably the most significant fortnight of his football career. The news of his meeting with Hawthorn was particularly confronting as Merrett had dined with coach Scott just days earlier.
Said Merrett: “I want to thank Andrew Welsh for his support recently and congratulate him on his presidency. I know he will lead this club with integrity and strong values, with high performance at the forefront of his priorities.”
Scott didn’t directly reference the Merrett drama but expressed his pride in everything the star onballer stood for.
“Zach had another exceptional year, and I know I speak for everyone when I say how proud we are to seeing [him play with] heart and soul for our club on a weekly basis,” Scott said.
“[It’s been a] difficult few weeks for Zach, his family, and I’d like to thank all those who have supported him.
“We love you, Zach, we love you and [your partner] Alexandra, and you’ll always have my full support. Thanks for everything you’ve done.”
But the third-year Essendon coach implored the club’s playing group to be driven in the off-season, already eyeing off a potential round one clash against Hawthorn.
“It’s really clear that our supporters are our greatest strength,” said Scott, who had his right arm in a sling after shoulder surgery.
“They came out in numbers [this season] and to have the fourth-highest home [and] away attendance of any club in the competition is … quite the extraordinary statistic.
“It should get everyone excited once we get this [team] going, once we get rolling, I’ve got no doubt it’s going to be hard to stop.
“[We] can get excited for round one, which is likely to be a home game against Hawthorn, with 90,000 … supporters supporting their team.
“They might have a couple there as well, but it’ll be our home game, and it’ll be a game that we can all look forward to, and we’ll drive our pre-season.”
It was at the Brownlow Medal count late last month when Merrett first admitted to his significant unease at how the dramatic trade saga had panned out.
Barely 24 hours after Merrett spoke at the Brownlow, incoming president Welsh declared that Merrett was off limits.
“Zach’s a required player, he’s contracted to the club. So we won’t be entertaining any trade for Zach,” said Welsh in an interview on the Bombers’ website.
Significantly, Welsh also did not touch on the Merrett drama directly when addressing the function at the start of the best-and-fairest count.
Instead, the hard-nosed former midfielder and defender who played 162 games in the red and black was intent on turning the club’s focus forward after the Bombers experienced a season devastated by an extraordinary injury count.
Welsh said the 2025 campaign would never be a “wasted season”.
“It was undoubtedly unique year with the challenges we faced, but I reflect on it as a year of growth,” Welsh said.
“I’m genuinely excited about what we’ve been able to unearth this year, and watching the development of everyone who represented our club.
“While the scoreboard didn’t always reflect our efforts, there’s no such thing as a wasted season.
“The character built, the bond strengthened, and the foundations laid in 2025 will define this football club for years to come.”
Welsh, who retired in 2011, saved his boldest words until the end of his speech, when he made a rallying cry for unity.
“My message applies to everyone in this room – from our players, coaches, staff and volunteers to our members and supporters: This is our time to galvanise,” he said.
“Our foundations are set, and it’s time to unite. We win together, we lose together, but we stick together, and when we stick together, we’re a formidable club.
“This is our time. This is our moment, and we’re about to embark on our greatest era. So let’s get running. Go Bombers.”
Merrett earlier collected a third straight McCracken Medal as the player who best represents the club’s values and spirit, and when club great Simon Madden presented the medal, he kissed the midfielder on the head.
The top Bomber polled 217 votes to win the best and fairest ahead of the vastly improved youngster Archie Roberts (186), with midfield bull Sam Durham (175) finishing third.
Merrett was seated on a table with young gun Nate Caddy, delisted big man Jayden Laverde, utility Matt Guelfi, and midfielders Jye Caldwell and Will Setterfield.
Senior players including Andrew McGrath, Kyle Langford and Nic Martin were on different but adjoining tables to the skipper – whose captaincy appears untenable if he does ultimately stay.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
