Frustrated Essendon coach Brad Scott has implored his want-away captain Zach Merrett to see his contract through, after confirming he was blindsided by a face-to-face meeting between the five-time Bombers best and fairest and Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell.

Scott, who reiterated that Essendon will not trade Merrett under any circumstances, also condemned Mitchell and Hawthorn, declaring “the gloves are off.”

Merrett met Mitchell, along with Hawthorn football boss Rob McCartney and Merrett’s high-profile manager Tom Petroro on Tuesday night, just three days before Hawthorn’s semi-final against Adelaide.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Wednesday night, Scott admitted he was blindsided by Merrett’s meeting with Mitchell, especially after having him over for dinner just days earlier.

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