Essendon will have to work extra hard to get the win for Cobden export Zach Merrett in his milestone game on Saturday.
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The Bombers’ midfielder, who was drafted with the 26th overall selection in the 2013 national draft, will pull on the red and black jumper for the 100th time against Hawthorn this weekend.
The former Sandringham Dragons player and his Bombers teammates face a Hawks side that will be eager to get the win as they hope to keep their finals hopes alive.
But Merrett said the club and players weren’t thinking too much into the game.
“I haven’t heard that it is a big game this week. It’s pretty similar to the last 10 weeks realy,” the 22-year-old said.
“We are just going about the way we are trying to improve as a team and the results will take care of themselves if we play the right way.”
The Essendon vice-captain, who was rewarded with his first All Australian selection last season, said the Bombers have been playing finals-like games for a number of weeks now.
“Since the Geelong game we’ve had nothing to lose,” Merrett Said. “We’ve been playing elimination finals for 10 weeks now.
“I guess every week we go in and try to improve but we do need a win to give ourselves the best chance of playing finals.
“Every week we are throwing everything at the opposition in the hope we can get the points.”
Merrett has kicked 36 goals and averages 24.8 disposals from his four seasons at the Bombers.
Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
