Andrew McGrath was the first to reach out to Zach Merrett. He knew Merrett was frustrated and angry, and putting club allegiances aside, just wanted his mate to know that.

New Bombers president Andrew Welsh also contacted him, according to an industry source, and others were torn between giving the Essendon captain his distance and starting the process of smoothing what will be an uncomfortable return to the club.

Merrett was left to have to return to the Bombers after the club made it clear to Hawthorn in the dying hours of the trade period they would only entertain an offer of four first-round draft picks and a future second-rounder.

It was a demand Hawthorn considered “ridiculous”.

The Bombers were surprised Hawthorn had taken until Monday afternoon to contact them directly with a M

See Full Page