‘Insights would be lost’: Bombers’ Merrett reveal; AFL eyeing Aussie icon for GF — Daily

Kyle Langford has confirmed Zach Merrett’s return to Essendon leadership meetings despite having relinquished his captaincy in the offseason.

Meanwhile, the AFL is reportedly targeting a superstar Australian artist to headline this year’s Grand Final entertainment in a big shake-up. MORE IN AFL DAILY.

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In an intriguing development, the Bombers have integrated Zach Merrett back into leadership meetings this season.

It comes after Merrett stood down from the club captaincy and gave up his formal leadership position, following a turbulent offseason where he sought a trade to Hawthorn while under contract.

Addressing reporters in a Tuesday press conference, forward Kyle Langford — a member of the Bombers’ official leadership group — spoke of Merrett’s re-involvement.

“Zach was in our leadership group (meeting) this morning. He’s right in it amongst us, he’s not shying away from anything,” Langford revealed.

“He knows he needs to improve as well in certain areas, as we all do, but he’s right amongst it with us.”

Probed on if Merrett’s appearance in a meeting meant he was back in the leadership group, Langford clarified: “He’s not back in it, but he’s a leader of this group — he’s been a captain of this football club.

“Leadership group, captaincy, vice-captaincy — that’s all just a title. We could put another half-dozen players in that group if we wanted to.

“And we do, we filter them in as part of their development. But Zach’s got so much experience … his insights would be lost if we didn’t include him in a lot of these chats.”

Asked if he thought Merrett’s trade saga last October was still weighing on the club, Langford said: “No, I don’t think so at all.”

Separately, Langford also said that this is the best he’s felt about the current playing group under Brad Scott.

“It’s Brad being able to listen to the players and what we want — we’ve obviously made some big changes with our high-performance staff, which is something that we needed to do,” Langford said when asked why that was the case.

“Scotty, the culture, the investment that they’re making around us leaders, development — I think we’ve got the most coaches in the comp at the moment.

“They’re listening and investing in us players — it’s up to us to take this club forward. We’ve got everything that we need; it’s up to us now.”

DEES SKIPPER’S SAY ON VOSS TAUNTS

Demons captain Max Gawn says he “didn’t like” Voss’ taunting of teammate Harry Petty last Saturday night.

A day after it was revealed that Voss had privately apologised for his comments, Gawn told Triple M radio on Tuesday that he wasn’t a fan of the Docker’s act of rubbing Petty’s head.

“The crowd is incredibly loud, so I didn’t hear anything that Voss said. I just saw what he was doing to his head, which I didn’t like,” Gawn said.

“I’m surprised there was a fine … I didn’t know that was a thing. I personally don’t do it (mock or taunt), but I don’t mind it when my teammates do some sort of it, but not to that extent.

“The rubbing of the head is a look that I don’t like AFL-wide.”

Gawn added: “It was quarter-time and six umpires were surrounding four players, so there wasn’t much we could do. I couldn’t hear anything, so there wasn’t much I could do to remonstrate. Nobody has asked Harry how he feels about this … I don’t think he cares! (laughs)”

Voss reportedly apologised to “select teammates and staff” at Fremantle for his ‘cry baby’ gestures towards Petty — a callback to an infamous Dayne Zorko sledging incident from 2022.

AUSSIE ICON IN AFL’S SIGHTS FOR GF SHAKE-UP

The AFL is chasing Kylie Minogue to perform at a first-ever twilight Grand Final at the MCG.

Per Channel 7’s Caroline Wilson, the league is looking to make the switch to a later timeslot this year, with Minogue their target for a revamped entertainment show.

Like the Super Bowl, the show would take place half-time, under lights, rather than the traditional pre-game show.

“If it’s not a twilight grand final this year, I’ll be shocked,” Wilson said on The Agenda Setters.

“The AFL is targeting, among others, but very strongly targeting Kylie Minogue to perform at a twilight grand final.”

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has reportedly been a fan of the traditional 2.30pm start for a long time, but is “wavering” as the rest of the AFL executive support change.

“Andrew Dillon, who was the one executive really strongly keeping it in the afternoon, is wavering,” Wilson continued.

“I think the new chairman doesn’t mind the idea of a twilight grand final, and pretty much the rest of the executive at the AFL are pretty keen on it.

“It will be dark at halftime, but the AFL would need to extend half-time, and that is one option they’re looking at, to have the key performer in the dark, but you could also have a performer in the daytime and then play it at twilight.

“It’s going to be really exciting.”

Minogue would be the first Australian act to headline since a group of local artists led by Eskimo Joe played the 2021 Grand Final in Perth.

Since the Grand Final returned to the MCG, Robbie Williams, Kiss, Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg have all performed pre-game.

Voss in spotlight for Petty crying taunt | 02:38

DOCKER APOLOGISES FOR CONTROVERSIAL TAUNT

Patrick Voss reportedly apologised to “select teammates and staff” at Fremantle for his ‘cry baby’ gestures towards Melbourne’s Harrison Petty on Saturday night.

Per Tom Morris, the key forward was “sorry for his actions taking away from the team”.

Voss earned a $1500 fine from the Match Review Officer for his antics at quarter time at Optus Stadium.

The 22-year-old has received widespread backlash for his behaviour, which appeared to stem from Brisbane Lion Dayne Zorko’s sledging of Petty in 2022.

Zorko made an inappropriate comment towards the Demon defender, which left him in tears at the Gabba.

Fox Footy analyst David King said that “you can’t humiliate” opponents like that, and expects the AFL to bring in a taunting rule off the back of it.

But Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir went into bat for Voss, saying he “gets it right most of the time”.

And the message from the Dockers has been to keep pushing the limits with his agitative actions.

“Those he spoke to made it clear to him they want him to continue to tread the line and they love the way he plays,” Morris reported.

YOUNG SAINT SET FOR CONTRACT STAND-OFF

St Kilda could feel the pinch of their spending spree as 20-year-old Darcy Wilson is reportedly of “growing interest” to rival clubs.

The pick 18 from the 2023 draft has played 44 games for the Saints, primarily on the wing.

But could receive bigger offers elsewhere after St Kilda splashed the cash on the likes of recruits Tom De Koning, Jack Silvagni, Sam Flanders and Liam Ryan as well as reportedly handing a $1 million a year extension to youngster Mattaes Phillipou.

“He’s still on his first contract. End of 2026 is when he’s out,” Nine’s Damien Barrett said on Footy Classified.

“He’s got no desire at this stage to work out what he wants to do in 2027, just yet. He’s going to let this play out.

“There’s a lot of interest in him, and he’s known this now for the best part of 18 months that clubs are coming for him. St Kilda’s well aware of this too.

“He’s started the season, I think, really encouragingly and he is a player they want to keep and have made that known to his management.

“But he’s a smart young man. He knows what money is now being offered to players he’s playing with.

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