Jordan Lewis says Zach Merrett should put pen to paper on a contract extension at Essendon “as soon as possible”.
Merrett, who remains unsigned beyond this season and is a restricted free agent, continued his fine year with 37 disposals in the Bombers’ stirring 16-point away win over West Coast on Saturday night.
Hawthorn champion Lewis believes Merrett should reject interest from rival clubs and recommit to Essendon.
Stay up to date with all the latest news from SEN. Sign up HERE.
“He should sign up now,” he told Fox Footy.
“The decision that he’s got to ask himself is his 25 years of age, what does he want out of the rest of his career?
“If he leaves this Essendon side and I bet your bottom dollar that when they start to play finals and whatever side he goes to aren’t playing finals, he’ll regret the decision.
“If I’m Zach Merrett, he knows the figures that are on the table, I’d be signing on the dotted line as soon as possible.
“They’re the most watchable side in the competition at the moment, they’ve got great youth, he’s playing fantastic football alongside Darcy Parish, I cannot see a reason why he would leave that footy club.”
Merrett is averaging 31 disposals and a tick under four clearances per game in 2021.
Essendon’s come-from-behind victory over the Eagles has them sitting in eighth spot and in the finals mix at the midway mark of the season.