Jackson Merrett Biography

Jackson Merrett is cut by Essendon.

Merrett has managed just two games since the end of 2016 and was informed he would not be offered a new deal for 2019.

"On behalf of the Essendon Football Club I would like to thank Jackson for his commitment to the club," Essendon coach John Worsfold said.

"The attitude and leadership he has shown both on and off the field is truly commendable. He has outstanding character and has helped to mentor and support the younger players on our list."

Jackson Merrett signs a new deal with Essendon to remain at the club in 2018.

Merrett did not play a senior game in 2017 and had been linked to a move to Port Adelaide.

"Last year was a frustrating season, not playing many games due to injury," Merrett said.

"I'm looking forward to getting stuck into pre-season and giving myself the best opportunity for senior football. I'm excited with the list Essendon has and I’m confident it is heading in the right direction."

After a season in which Jackson Merrett struggled to nail down a spot in a depleted senior team, the 23-year-old looks likely to move to defence in 2017.

"It's a fresh start. I'm still learning positioning and the structures down back but I've really enjoyed it so far," Merrett said.

Jackson Merrett signs a two-year contract extension with Essendon that will keep him at the club until the end of 2017.

"It's very exciting to be remaining at the club for another two years," Merrett said.

"We're putting in the hard yards so as long as we can keep that up I'm sure we can go somewhere exciting in the future."

Four Essendon players who were on the club's list in 2012 will play against St Kilda on Saturday in the NAB Challenge after requesting permission from the coaches to participate.

Nick O'Brien, Jackson Merrett, Elliott Kavanagh and Lauchlan Dalgleish – who were all with the Bombers in 2012 when the club's contentious supplements program was underway – have been selected in Essendon's line-up to face the Saints at Morwell.

It is the first time the club has confirmed and cleared any of its players as not facing infraction notices.

The younger players approached the club's coaching group and told them they were keen to take part in the game, a request that was agreed to by James Hird and his assistants.

The move was ticked off by the Essendon leadership group, which understood and respected the players' request.

"Both the coaches and the leadership group agreed that it was appropriate for the four players to be available for selection as they were not involved in the investigation surrounding the 2012 supplements program," the club said in a statement.

"The four players who have been named in the squad to play St Kilda on Saturday are not provisionally suspended."

Zach Merrett is named the round 11 rising star nominee after tallying 22 disposals and kicking two classy fourth-quarter goals against Richmond.

"I was pretty nervous before the game with 80,000 people and Dreamtime," Merrett said.

"But it was good to get a few touches and to kick a few goals at the end was nice to finish off. To be Rising Star this round is just extra special."

Merrett says having teammate Dyson Heppell and brother Jackson at the club has been of great benefit to his development.

"I've leaned on Dyson Heppell a fair bit. He's helped me a lot with vision and just pointing me in the right direction," Merrett said.

"Then my brother's (Jackson) been really handy. There's just a lot of questions I ask him at home, it's really good."

Young Bombers Jackson Merrett, Elliott Kavanagh and Mark Baguley sign two-year deals with the club.

"It is a big show of faith that our younger players want to remain in the red and black. Our supporters should be very excited about our future," Essendon coach James Hird said.

Jackson Merrett makes his AFL debut for Essendon at the MCG with 3 disposals (3 kicks), 2 marks and 4 tackles in a 32-point loss to Collingwood.

The pedigree is first class, the surname famous: new Bomber Jackson Merrett has a lot to live up to.

"That was the first time I'd spoken to them so there was a little bit of late interest, but it was definitely worth the trip down to Windy Hill for the interview," Merrett about the lead up to being drafted by Essendon.

"But now I'm just looking forward to meeting everyone, enjoying it all and working hard. It will be good to learn from great people who are there to help me get the most out of myself."