'Not the right person': Merrett gives up AFL captaincy

Appointed captain in 2023, the 30-year-old told teammates he would step down from the role after returning to pre-season training.

Current vice-captain Andrew McGrath, the club's only former No.1 pick, is the early favourite to become Essendon's next skipper.

"It's been weighing on my mind around who is the best person to lead this club and group moving forward," Merrett said in a club statement.

"I feel like I've come to the decision that I'm not the right person.

"(Being Essendon captain) is an honour that was a childhood dream of mine running around the backyard in Cobden.

"It's certainly been an opportunity that myself and my family are very proud of."

Desperate for success, Merrett had requested his trade to Hawthorn after losing "love and connection" with the Bombers.

The six-time Bombers best-and-fairest winner hasn't won a final across 251 games for Essendon since his debut in 2014.

And the Bombers' post-season drought goes further, last winning a finals game in 2004 while every other AFL club has been able to win a match in September.

Merrett was forced to remain at the club after Essendon, refusing to trade the star midfielder under any circumstances, knocked back every offer from the Hawks.

He said he made his decision as optimism grows around the club, following the arrival of new talent and a revamped high-performance team.

"It feels like so much excitement and optimism and newness," Merrett said.

"Being such a young group, it is a great chance for the next leader to come in and grow with the group moving forward.

"We'll continue to leave no stone unturned to make sure we play in that last Saturday in September."

Jy Simpkin, who similarly had a failed trade from North Melbourne despite being contracted, is poised to join Merrett in giving up the captaincy. 

Simpkin, desiring more midfield time, couldn't engineer a trade.

North Melbourne have the second-longest drought without a finals win, dating back to 2015.