Zach Merrett stands as one of the AFL’s most talented midfielders, with a career that spans over a decade at Essendon Football Club. The six-time Crichton Medal winner has built an impressive financial portfolio through his AFL contracts and endorsements.
In this article, you will know Zach Merrett’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Zach Merrett’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Zachary Merrett |
| Date of Birth | October 3, 1995 |
| Age | 30 years old |
| Education | Melbourne Grammar School, Cobden Technical School |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Height | 179-180 cm (5’10”) |
| Weight | 77-80 kg |
| Turned Pro | 2014 |
| Net Worth | $1.5 million |
| Salary | $1,101,000 |
| Wife | Alexandra Merrett |
| @zacharymerrett07 | |
| @zachmerrett07 |
Early Career
Zach Merrett grew up in Cobden, a small town in Victoria, where he developed his love for Australian rules football. He attended Cobden Technical School initially before earning a cricket scholarship to Melbourne Grammar School, where he boarded and continued his athletic development.
As a junior, Merrett played for Cobden Football Club and grew up supporting the Western Bulldogs. He participated in the Auskick program at Cobden, which helped shape his early football skills.
Merrett faced a crossroads between cricket and football during his teenage years, as he showed promise in both sports. After a strong junior cricket career, he made the tough decision to focus entirely on football.
This choice paid off when he joined the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup, where his ball-winning ability caught the attention of AFL scouts. He represented the Vic Country team and impressed with his disposal skills, tackling, and vision.
His performances earned him recognition as a top prospect, standing at 178 cm and weighing 73 kg at draft time, playing as an outside midfielder and small forward.
Professional Career
The Essendon Football Club selected Zach Merrett with pick 26 in the 2013 National Draft, launching his professional career.
He made his AFL debut in Round 1 of the 2014 season against North Melbourne, playing 20 games in his first year and earning a Rising Star nomination.
His early promise quickly turned into consistent excellence as he established himself as one of the league’s premier midfielders.
Merrett’s career highlights include winning six Crichton Medals (2016, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025), placing him third in Essendon’s all-time history behind only Dick Reynolds and Bill Hutchison, who each won seven.
He surpassed club legend James Hird’s five best and fairest wins. Merrett earned All-Australian selection three times (2017, 2021, 2023) and made the All-Australian squad in 2024.
He represented Australia in the International Rules Series in 2017. His Brownlow Medal career includes 160 total votes, with 14 votes in 2025, making him the fourth-highest vote-getter in Essendon history.
Wife
Zach Merrett married Alexandra Merrett, and the couple celebrated their wedding with teammates and family.
Alexandra has been a supportive partner throughout his career, standing by him during challenging times including the 2025 trade saga when Merrett requested a move to Hawthorn.
During the Brownlow Medal ceremony in September 2025, Alexandra accompanied Zach despite the public scrutiny surrounding his trade request.
She showed strength during this difficult period, as the situation affected both Zach and their family significantly.
Zach Merrett’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Zach Merrett’s net worth stands at $1.5 million, accumulated through his long AFL career and various endorsement deals.
Contract
Merrett signed a massive six-year contract extension with Essendon in June 2021, keeping him at the club until the end of 2027. The deal came after he considered free agency options, with rival clubs Carlton and Collingwood showing strong interest.
The contract reportedly totals around $5 million over six years, representing a huge endorsement for the Bombers’ rebuild under coach Ben Rutten at the time.
Merrett was a restricted free agent when he chose to stay, demonstrating his commitment to Essendon despite external interest.
Salary
Merrett earned $1,101,000 during the 2025 AFL season, reflecting his status as one of Essendon’s highest-paid players. His salary in 2024 was $929,000, showing a significant increase for 2025.
Throughout his career, his annual salary has grown substantially from his early years. He started at $358,422 in his debut 2014 season and saw steady increases as he developed into an elite midfielder.
His peak earning years came after signing the six-year extension in 2021, with salaries ranging from $770,000 to over $1.1 million annually.
Industry estimates suggest he earns between $750,000 and $850,000 per season from Essendon as a base salary, with additional performance-based payments contributing to his total annual income.
Career Earnings
| Year | Salary | Games Played |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | $358,422 | 19 |
| 2015 | $488,000 | 17 |
| 2016 | $584,000 | 22 |
| 2017 | $639,000 | 21 |
| 2018 | $742,000 | 22 |
| 2019 | $759,000 | 22 |
| 2020 | $860,000 | 16 |
| 2021 | $770,000 | 22 |
| 2022 | $904,000 | 19 |
| 2023 | $939,000 | 22 |
| 2024 | $929,000 | 23 |
| 2025 | $1,101,000 | 21 |
Endorsements
Zach Merrett secures a good portion of his annual income through endorsement deals, with Adidas being his primary sponsor.
He has appeared in promotional content for Adidas, including posts on his Instagram account featuring Adidas products with hashtags like #adidaszne and #adidassportswear.
Career Stats
| Season | Team | Games | Goals | Kicks | Handballs | Disposals | Marks | Tackles | Brownlow Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Essendon | 20 | 11 | – | – | – | 67 | 79 | 0 |
| 2015 | Essendon | 17 | 4 | – | – | – | 60 | 98 | 1 |
| 2016 | Essendon | 22 | 7 | – | – | – | 110 | 136 | 19 |
| 2017 | Essendon | 22 | 9 | – | – | – | 95 | 122 | 15 |
| 2018 | Essendon | 22 | 5 | – | – | – | 69 | 132 | 10 |
| 2019 | Essendon | 23 | 8 | – | – | – | 90 | 124 | 16 |
| 2020 | Essendon | 16 | 2 | – | – | – | 69 | 55 | 13 |
| 2021 | Essendon | 23 | 4 | – | – | – | 97 | 112 | 20 |
| 2022 | Essendon | 19 | 6 | – | – | – | 69 | 72 | – |
| 2023 | Essendon | 22 | 8 | – | – | – | – | – | 17 |
| 2024 | Essendon | 23 | 14 | – | – | – | – | – | 18 |
| 2025 | Essendon | 21 | – | 321 | 262 | 583 | 80 | 93 | 14 |
| Career | Essendon | 250+ | 78+ | – | – | – | 806+ | 1,023+ | 160 |
FAQs
1. How old is Zach Merrett?
Zach Merrett is 30 years old as of 2026. He was born on October 3, 1995, in Victoria, Australia. He turned 30 during the 2025 AFL season and has stated he wants to play until he is 36 or 37 years old.
2. What position does Zach Merrett play in the AFL?
Zach plays as a midfielder for Essendon Football Club. He started his career as an outside midfielder and small forward but developed into an elite inside midfielder known for his ball-winning ability, disposals, tackling, and vision on the field.
3. Is Zach Merrett still captain of Essendon?
Zach stepped down as Essendon captain ahead of the 2026 season. He served as the club’s 41st captain for three years from 2023 to 2025 but relinquished the role following his failed trade request to Hawthorn. Andy McGrath likely takes over the leadership position.
4. How many times has Zach Merrett won the Crichton Medal?
Merrett has won the Crichton Medal six times in 2016, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025. This places him third in Essendon’s all-time history for best and fairest wins, behind only Dick Reynolds and Bill Hutchison who each won seven. He surpassed James Hird’s five wins.
5. Who is Zach Merrett’s wife?
His wife is Alexandra Merrett. The couple got married and welcomed their first child, a son named Jude Merrett. Alexandra has supported Zach throughout his career and stood by him during the challenging 2025 trade saga when he requested a move to Hawthorn.
