ZACH Merrett has spoken glowingly of new Essendon coach Mark McVeigh amid expectations he will again seek a trade to Hawthorn.
Speaking before Monday night's Brownlow Medal count, the Essendon star was adamant talks are continuing on where he will end up next season.
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Merrett tried to join the Hawks in last year's Trade Period but the bombshell deal could not be reached.
"Speculation is probably the right word, isn't it? It's been a lot of people talking on my behalf or having their opinion about me," Merrett told AAP.
"I will work through my stuff in the next couple of weeks. I've caught up with 'Spike' (McVeigh) a couple of times. He's been incredible – a very impressive guy.
"The way he spoke at that press conference when he took over, he spoke from the heart and he's going to be an incredible coach for Essendon.
"We'll keep talking behind the scenes, we've had great dialogue all year with (Essendon general manager of list and recruiting) Matt Rosa and the club ... we'll see where that lands."
Merrett, who remains contracted to the Bombers, is expected to win his seventh club best-and-fairest award at Essendon's annual awards function on October 1.
Bombers coaching legend Kevin Sheedy had strongly backed James Hird to return as senior coach, but the club went with McVeigh.
Sheedy was asked what advice he would give Merrett about where he should play beyond this season.
"Make your decision for your family and yourself ... where he wants to go. He deserves the right," Sheedy said.
Zak Butters has confirmed he wants a move from Port Adelaide to the Western Bulldogs and is confident – despite some difficulties in negotiations – that a deal will be struck.
"I've made my call now, so I will back in my manager to do his job and also the team down at the Doggies, they've been really good as well," Butters said.
"I'm sure they together will strike a deal with Port and something will get done – it's over to them now."
Butters, who is recovering from an ankle injury, is keenly anticipating playing in the midfield alongside Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli.
"It's very exciting – I'm looking forward to rubbing shoulders with him and also learning off him," Butters said.
"I still feel like I'm developing as a player."
Greater Western Sydney captain Toby Greene will also move clubs, joining Geelong as an unrestricted free agent.
"It's leaving a place we love, people we love, a completely new environment," Greene said.
"But I'm looking forward to a new challenge – a different challenge. The last few years of (my) footy career, I'm really looking forward to making an impact.
"I'm hungry and keen to try to help the footy club."
