In making the call to hang on to their skipper Zach Merrett, rather than trade him to Hawthorn for a few handy rather than knockout draft picks, Essendon’s board decided his legacy to the club would prevail over pragmatism.

That’s fair enough.

Club figures such as Merrett can be pivotal to an era and he is, alongside former teammate Dyson Heppell, this era’s only shining light.

Bombers stars Zach Merrett and Andrew McGrath will lead the club into the next era, regardless of their titles.Credit: AFL Photos

So, having made that call to hang on to Merrett, it’s now the responsibility of everyone at the club to not only connect him to Essendon’s next high point, but make every moment he spends at the club enjoyable and worthwhile.

He deserves that, as long as he is prepared to accept he will still get much out of his experiences at the club moving forward.

Of course, footy is about winning. But it is also about belonging and contributing, and feeling valued.

Dean Solomon took a lead when he decided to move his life to Melbourne and become an assistant coach from next season. He resigned from the Essendon board to make the switch. Club president Andrew Welsh, a former Bombers teammate of Solomon, is working with Merrett, ensuring he is in a club that values him at every........

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