Shock moment Essendon star heard coach Brad Scott was sacked

The Essendon star also responded to talk of James Hird returning to the Bombers as Scott’s full-time replacement.

Scott, 50, was dismissed on Tuesday after their loss to Richmond at the weekend saw them slump to a 10th loss in 11 games this season.

Watch Zach Merrett’s comments via the video player above

The club confirmed assistant coach Dean Solomon will take interim charge, with James Hird linked to a stunning return as full-time boss.

Essendon’s Zach Merritt has revealed someone in a coffee shop told him about Brad Scott being sacked (Picture: Kayo)

But when quizzed on his thoughts about Scott’s dismissal, midfielder Merrett, 30, who was heavily linked with a move to Hawthorn last year, made the surprise admission that he heard the news from a member of the public.

Speaking at a Sapporo Beer event, he said: “I was actually at a coffee shop around the corner from the club and a random guy gave me the news.

“Then I headed into the club and was formally told but it’s always really difficult when you spend four years with someone, anyone, but particularly the head coach.

“You spend a lot of time together, especially as captain for three of those years, so it’s a sad moment and I’m more so thinking of him and his family.

Scott was dismissed after three years with the Bombers (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

“It’s a pretty stressful role for anyone in that position around the competition, so I hope he’s holding up all right.”

Merrett also talked up the possibility of Hird returning to the Bombers, having previously worked with him back in 2015.

“I can only go off our relationship, it’s very strong,” he added.

“He’s been a great mentor of mine and someone I can always confide in, so from that perspective I really get on well with him.

“I think he’s got a great viewpoint of the game.

“In terms of coaching, I think it’s just such a good one for headlines. I’m not sure if it’ll eventually (happen), I don’t know.”

Scott joined Essendon ahead of the 2023 season after the club parted ways with Ben Rutten.

Despite an injury-riddled list over the past 18 months, they have now decided to go in a fresh direction, after just 80 games in charge.

Scott was contracted until the end of 2027 after penning a one-year extension in March last year.

After Round 17 in 2024, the Bombers were fourth on the ladder with 10 wins and a draw.

Yet it has been all downhill since, with the club winning just eight from their next 42 games under Scott.

And he revealed on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters on Tuesday night that he was against the club’s decision not to trade Merrett at the end of the 2025 season.

When asked if he agreed with keeping Merrett, Scott replied: “No, my view was that Zach had given incredible service to the Essendon football club. He’d been through multiple strategies, multiple coaches, been made promises on multiple occasions.

“My view is always you invest in the team and you put the team first. And Zach found that really hard to do at the end of last year. And I felt for him and I felt for his family.”

When pressed on whether he thought Merrett had acted selfishly, he added: “No, I didn’t think he was being selfish. I thought he had been promised things over and over again.

“He was at his wits end and he couldn’t invest in the team anymore. Now, he certainly does through his actions on field. But my view was that we should let him go.“But the club’s view was that we should keep him. So again, my view is what the club’s view is. And I fronted that.”

The Agenda Setters is at 7.30pm every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night on 7mate and 7plus Sport.

Source: https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/shock-moment-essendon-star-heard-coach-brad-scott-was-sacked/news-story/dfcffaecd72f0cd90aada0d69850e536