The Hawks were seeking a response to their opening-round loss to GWS, along with a week in the headlines and they did just that, as a run of six unanswered goals in Friday night's second term set up a 21.19 (145) to 13.5 (83) victory at the MCG.
News emerged on Tuesday forwards Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald had spent a night in an Arizona jail in November for alleged trespassing after climbing a scissor lift while out drinking, with Moore stripped of the vice-captaincy.
But all eyes were on Merrett, who last off-season unsuccessfully requested a trade to Hawthorn, despite holding the captaincy and having two years left on his contract.
Merrett, who stepped down as skipper, received a combination of cheers and jeers from the crowd of 71,384 fans when he took possession for the first time.
But Merrett brought the house down in the second term after he intercepted the ball, burst forward and kicked a thumping goal from just inside 50.
But the game descended into a demoralising season opener for the Bombers, where the Hawks took advantage of turnovers and converted them into devastating attacks.
Sam Mitchell's call to bring in Ned Reeves (two goals, 16 hitouts) to partner Lloyd Meek (26 hitouts) in the ruck paid dividends.
Hawthorn's midfield of Jai Newcombe (22 disposals, ), Josh Ward (26 disposals, five clearances) and Conor Nash (23, seven clearances) dominated.
Jack Gunston (five goals) and Nick Watson (four) were damaging while silky pair Karl Amon (23 disposals, 629 metres gained) and Jarman Impey (22) were superb.
Macdonald (24 disposals, two goals) and Moore (24 disposals, one goal) responded.
Merrett (32 disposals) all but played a lone hand, with help from Mason Redman (26 touches) while Sam Durham (23 disposals) kicked two early goals but couldn't maintain the rage.
Essendon excited with a run-and-gun style of play early, trailing by just seven at quarter-time.
Essendon debutant Dyson Sharp kicked a first-term checkside goal and added another in the second quarter as Essendon trailed by just five.
But after that, Mabior Chol and Watson snagged two goals apiece amid the six-goal unanswered run that put the Hawks up by 44 at halftime.
Hawthorn nudged their lead out to 63 at the final change and they took their foot off the gas.
The Hawks next host a mouthwatering clash with Sydney while the Bombers will have to lick their wounds then travel to face Port Adelaide.
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