Matthew Lloyd’s ‘gut feel’ on how Merrett trade scenario plays out

Matthew Lloyd says he’s still expecting Essendon captain Zach Merrett to depart the club despite tensions easing in recent days.

List bosses from both Essendon and Hawthorn didn’t give anything away when facing the media on Monday, setting the terms for a tense negotiation during the trade period.

Lloyd said it was now up to Hawthorn to work on a deal that forces the Bombers to reconsider their stance that he’s not up for trade.

Press PLAY to listen to the FULL podcast after day one of the trade period

“My gut feel is still he gets to Hawthorn,” he said on The Trade Off podcast.

“But then you start thinking about what (trade is fair) and what could get Essendon to consider (the trade).”