AFL 2025: Andrew Welsh will hold Zach Merrett to his contract after replacing David Barham as Essendon president

Newly installed Essendon president Andrew Welsh is standing defiantly behind his predecessor’s line the Bombers “won’t be entertaining” any trade deals for wantaway captain Zach Merrett. Welsh, who played 162 games with the Bombers, was handed the position amid a post-season implosion with David Barham stepping down effective immediately as Merrett continued to weigh up his future. Despite revelations Merrett has met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell, which drew criticism from his teammates, Welsh was adamant the current captain and five-time best and fairest would be a Bomber in 2026. “Zach is a champion of our club, he’s a great guy, he’s an Essendon person,” Welsh said in a video posted to the club’s website on Tuesday. “We have spoken publicly … Zach is required player, he’s contracted to the club. We won’t be entertaining any trade for Zach. “At the core of it, Zach is just such a fantastic Essendon person, I’m confident, come pre-season, that he’s going to add significant value through his recent experiences for the group. “I’m really excited really energised … we have a great foundation. We are not going backwards, we have the opportunity to accelerate forward.” Last week, before his exit, Barham declared there was no way Merrett would be traded. But at the Brownlow medal count on Monday night, Merrett told multiple media outlets there was much to play out in the upcoming trade period. “Honestly we are working through that still to be honest with my partner and my family what is absolutely best for me,” he said. “I know I am a contracted player so there are things to work through and factors that are largely out of my control at the moment.” Despite some criticism from his teammates after revelations of a possible move, Merrett said he would “go back” if he had to. “I love the club, I have been there 12 years and played 250 games,” Merrett said. “My family feels entrenched in the footy club so I understand there is noise and the club has to have a stance and no one player is bigger than the club so I get that and I am contracted so there are requirements there that have to happen, if anything happened, but if I have to go back I will go back and play good footy.” Barham steered the Bombers for 3½ years but has decided to hand over to vice-president Welsh after a tumultuous year. In a letter to members on Tuesday morning, Barham said he had given his all to Essendon and was confident the club was on the right track. “My love for the Essendon Football Club is second only to the love I have for my family. In every decision and every action I have taken, my guiding principle has always been what is in the best interests of the club,” Barham wrote. “This is another. It is time for a new president. It is a voluntary role that requires someone with the time, drive and energy to take us forward. “I have given my all over the past 3½ years and tackled every challenge with everything that I have. I took my responsibility to fight for and defend our club, our players, coaches and administrators extremely seriously. “I’m proud of what we have achieved in transforming the club and making the hard decisions to set it up for long-term, sustained success. I have no doubt we are now on the right track, and I leave excited about the future.”