Essendon great Tim Watson believes there is no way back for Zach Merrett as the disgruntled Bombers captain continues to push for a way out of the club.

Contracted until the end of 2027, Merrett remains adamant on joining Hawthorn next year in a dramatic escalation of tension with Essendon.

Watson, a former captain and three-time premiership hero, has accepted Merrett will almost certainly be elsewhere next season.

The Bombers have maintained they won't be trading Merrett, or key defender Jordan Ridley, despite the ambition to leave.

"Everything has moved in the wrong direction," Watson told SEN.

"I have said before I don't want him to leave.

"I wanted Essendon to be able to find a way to communicate with him and repair the damage that's been done and the reasons why he wants to leav

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