Matthew Lloyd is expecting some difficult conversations ahead for Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell if the club is to land the prized signing of Zach Merrett.

Merrett remains in limbo with less than three days left of the trade period, with the Essendon captain yet to hand in an official trade request.

Press PLAY to hear Matthew Lloyd’s thoughts on where the Zach Merrett deal is at

Lloyd forecast Mitchell would be forced into “really tricky” conversations with some of his own players if they want to satisfy Essendon in any trade for Merrett.

“Alastair Clarkson made some brutal calls on guys like Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis and Sam Mitchell himself,” he said

“And that’s what Sam is going to have to do at some stage.”

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