Essendon wanted four first-round draft picks and a future second-round pick from Hawthorn to even entertain trading Zach Merrett, which was a price too high for the Hawks and left the Bombers now trying to repair relations with their disenfranchised captain.

Merrett was left stranded in his bid to leave the Bombers after Essendon held firm to their line from the start of the trade period that they would not trade their contracted best player.

A best Hawthorn offer of three first-round draft picks – 10, 22, a first-rounder next year – and Henry Hustwaite could not persuade Essendon. Merrett rang new Bombers president Andrew Welsh directly on Wednesday afternoon and pleaded with him to let him leave the club where he has won six best and fairests.

“We’ve been clear with Zach the whole way

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