A CODBEN export is considered a strong chance to claim his first Essendon club best and fairest award on Wednesday night.
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Third-year hard nut midfielder Zach Merrett broke a Bombers’ disposal record in 2016 as he stood up in the absence of his suspended teammates.
Merrett, 21, led the bottom-placed Bombers for disposals (657), contested possessions (229) and tackles (136) and was stand-in skipper late in the season to cover for the injured Brendon Goddard.
He gathered 30 touches or more in 12 of his 22 games.
Merrett was overlooked for the initial 40-man All-Australian squad which was announced on Monday, with many in football circles labelling him among those most unlucky to miss out.
The final All-Australian squad will be unveiled on Thursday night.
Merrett has played 59 matches for Essendon after arriving at the club via the 2013 AFL national draft.