The six-time best and fairest winner still has two years to run on his current deal

AFL

Nat Edwards, Damian Barrett and Riley Beveridge discuss Wednesday’s biggest footy stories on the AFL Daily podcast.

AFL

The Bombers and Hawks clash in round one of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

AFL

Extended highlights of the Bombers and Hawks clash in round one of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

AFL

Brad Scott says his side was unable to stop a rampant Hawks rebounding out of defence

AFL

Watch Hawthorn’s press conference after round one’s match against Essendon

AFL

Watch Essendon’s press conference after round one’s match against Hawthorn

AFL

Short highlights of the Bombers and Hawks clash in round one of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

AFL

The Bombers and Hawks clash in round one of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

AFL

Hawthorn thumped Essendon under Friday night lights

AFL

match report

Hussien El Achkar lands a goal on debut after a shoddy kick out of defence is smothered straight into his lap

AFL

Dylan Moore delivers a passionate celebration after slotting a goal and is swarmed by teammates

AFL

Zach Merrett lands a brilliant major and soaks in the noise from a roaring crowd

AFL

Bombers debutant Dyson Sharp drills a sizzling first major in the AFL to bring the crowd to its feet

AFL

Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald link up early in the first quarter to produce a cracking goal

AFL

Nat Edwards, Damian Barrett and Josh Gabelich discuss Tuesday’s biggest footy stories on the AFL Daily Round Table podcast.

AFL

Essendon coach confident Zach Merrett will be in top shape for clash against Hawthorn, the team he tried to get traded to

AFL

Our reporters have their say on who makes the cut for your team's first game of the 2026 season

AFL

The Match Review Officer's findings will be released on Monday

AFL

The Saints and Bombers clash in the AAMI Community Series

AFL

The Saints are confident Callum Wilkie will be available for their Opening Round clash against the Magpies

AFL

Watch St Kilda's press conference after their AAMI Community Series match against Essendon

AFL

Watch Essendon's press conference after their AAMI Community Series match against St Kilda

AFL

Short highlights of the Saints and Bombers clash in the AAMI Community Series

AFL

The Saints and Bombers clash in the AAMI Community Series

AFL

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera starred as the Saints proved too good for the Bombers

AFL

match report

Brayden Fiorini snaps a fantastic goal in new colours as time expires in the third term

AFL

St Kilda youngster Hugh Boxshall climbs over a Bomber to claim a towering mark in Ballarat

AFL

Tensions rise between the Saints and Dons after Sam Durham brings down Ryan Byrnes with a heavy tackle

AFL

Hussien El Achkar provides a glimpse of his special talent with this crafty goal early in the second term

AFL

The teams are in for Saturday's games in the AAMI Community Series

AFL

The Bombers have cruised past the Tigers in a match simulation

AFL

match report

The Bombers and Tigers clash in match simulation

AFL

Follow all the action from the first two match simulations on Friday

AFL

Hussien El Achkar caps off a bright performance with a well-earned major for the Bombers

AFL

Essendon midfielder Darcy Parish shows encouraging signs, snaring his second goal of the game in style

AFL

Nate Caddy makes a lively start, booting three first-half goals in match simulation

AFL

Brad Scott sits down with AFL.com.au's Cal Twomey to discuss the Bombers' injuries last year, his youthful squad, the club's progress and more

AFL

Essendon senior coach Brad Scott talks to AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey about Zach Merrett’s tumultuous off-season, the Bombers’ summer reset and a changing of the leadership guard at the Bombers

AFL

The Bombers will continue to be aggressive with offers to rival stars, coach Brad Scott tells AFL.com.au

AFL

Zach Merrett has thrown himself back into life at Essendon, but not before sitting down with some disgruntled teammates

AFL

Star midfielder Zach Merrett is open to a new deal at the Bombers

AFL

Zach Merrett has missed a training session because of illness, while fellow midfielder Jy Caldwell was dealing with a knee complaint

AFL

Kyle Langford hopes to have a bigger impact in 2026 after a shake-up of his preparation

AFL

Essendon reached out to Justin Rodski about returning to the club

AFL

Essendon has handed Andrew McGrath the top job after Zach Merrett stepped down

AFL

Craig Vozzo resigns as CEO of Essendon

AFL

Setterfield rejoins the Bombers as an replacement for the injured Nic Martin

AFL

Archie Roberts has described the Bombers' pre-season as "gruelling" after they brought in a new fitness team

AFL

The Bombers have signed Irishman Cillian Bourke

AFL

Dylan Shiel announces his retirement after being delisted by Essendon at the end of the season

AFL

Essendon's Nic Martin has been ruled out for the 2026 season

AFL

Sullivan Robey faces a delayed start to his first pre-season at Essendon

AFL

Essendon will have a new captain in 2026 after Zach Merrett resigned as skipper

AFL

Josh Weddle will wait until 2026 to make a call on his playing future

AFL

Todd Goldstein announces his retirement from the AFL

AFL

Dyson Sharp had a rollercoaster night at the draft, but now is ready to play for the club he's always supported

AFL

Nic Martin has sent for scans on his reconstructed knee after slipping at training

AFL

After failing to get to Hawthorn Zach Merrett has been welcomed back to Essendon 'with open arms'

AFL

The incumbent Essendon captain wasn't at the club's first training session for first to fourth-year players, as teammate Zach Reid hosed down any controversy

AFL

Join Damian Barrett and Josh Gabelich for AFL Daily

AFL

podcasts

Essendon has delisted midfielder Will Setterfield ahead of the national draft

AFL

Dean Solomon will join Brad Scott's coaching panel after stepping down from the Essendon board

AFL

Essendon makes another round of delistings

AFL

Craig Vozzo says Essendon was surprised with Hawthorn's wait and its subsequent offer for the Dons skipper

AFL

trade

The Bombers have spoken after the Zach Merrett deal fell through

AFL

trade

We look at the huge moves that fell over after the most dramatic Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period in memory

AFL

trade

The Bombers have wrapped up a deal for Suns winger Brayden Fiorini

AFL

trade

Tom Barrass and Nick Watson are hopeful of playing with Zach Merrett next season

AFL

Brayden Fiorini has made a call on his future

AFL

trade

The Lions have signed Bombers ruck Sam Draper as an unrestricted free agent

AFL

trade

Brad Scott has paid tribute to Zach Merrett amid the Bombers captain's uncertain future

AFL

Essendon captain Zach Merrett has claimed his sixth best and fairest

AFL

Contracted Bombers defender Jordan Ridley won't be seeking a trade

AFL

trade

There's more board upheaval at Essendon, adding to a tumultuous off-season

AFL

Oskar Smartt has been delisted by Essendon

AFL

The Bombers have announced another two list changes

AFL

Essendon ruck Sam Draper has nominated his club of choice

AFL

trade

Hawthorn's coach says he will continue to try and improve the club's list

AFL

In a letter to Essendon members, president Dave Barham said Zach Merrett and Jordan Ridley wouldn't be traded

AFL

trade

One Essendon great can't see Zach Merrett continuing as captain after his meeting with Hawthorn, while the Bombers concede they face a difficult situation

AFL

Brad Scott admits news of Zach Merrett's meeting with Hawthorn surprised him

AFL

Brad Scott admits news of Zach Merrett's meeting with Hawthorn surprised him

AFL

Zach Merrett has met with Hawthorn as the Bombers captain weighs up a decision on his future

AFL

trade

Darren Bewick and Steven Salopek hope any changes to the AFL's father-son rule will allow their sons, Koby and Louis, to follow in their footsteps

AFL

draft