Zach was selected with pick 26 in the 2013 National Draft. A highly rated junior, Merrett wasted no time making an impact at the Bombers becoming the 41st captain of the club in 2023.
Zach grew up in Cobden, Victoria before boarding at Melbourne Grammar School on a cricket scholarship. As a junior, Zach played for Cobden Football Club and as a kid supported the Western Bulldogs. After a promising junior cricket career, he decided to focused on his footy and was soon selected into the Vic County team, where he impressed many. Prior to getting drafted, he was noticed for his ball winning ability in the TAC Cup and was a consistent contributor for the Sandringham Dragons.
In 2013, he was drafted to the Essendon Football Club with their second selection (pick number 26) and made his debut in the opening round of the 2014 AFL season again North Melbourne. In just his third season, Zach’s leadership qualities were noticed and he was promoted to the Essendon Leadership Group ahead of the 2016 season. In 2017 Zach was named Vice-Captain of the Bombers and finished the season with his first selection in the All-Australian side and third selection in the 22 Under 22 Team.
In 2018, Zach played his 100th game after barely missing a game since his debut. In 2021, Merrett collected 725 possessions over the season, the most ever recorded by a Bomber’s player in one year. In his 10th season since being drafted, Zach became the Captain of the Essendon Football Club. The classy midfielder will be one of the key players and leaders at Essendon for many years to come, as he looks to add to his already illustrious career.
Away from the field Zach loves American sports and has an interest and passion for business and fitness. Supporting this, Zach is a franchise owner of three BFT gyms which are based on the philosophy that everyday people can train with the same principles as elite athletes. He also loves spending time with his dog is Maya and when time permits, he heads back home to see his family. He is serious, hard-working, honest and humble with a passion for leadership and travel. Zach is an ambassador for Adidas and an advocate for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Australia; a disease close to his heart after his mum was diagnosed with MS over 30 years ago.
