The Essendon defender confirmed his desire to leave:
AFL business news

Wantaway Essendon defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher has expressed his desire to return to his native South Australia through a move to Port Adelaide.

Earlier this month, the 25-year-old informed the club of his intention to find a new home this season as his contract nears expiration.

The former Sturt defender’s impending departure comes as Essendon plan to sign North Melbourne free agent Ben McKay in the coming weeks, potentially pushing Zerk-Thatcher out of his role as Scott’s defender. Brad.

Port Adelaide emerged as a club interested in the local defender, with Zerk-Thatcher and Geelong’s Esava Ratugolea both high on the Power’s list of targets.

A move to South Australia is set to excite both Zerk-Thatcher and his family, with the departing Bomber telling 9 News Adelaide the move is “very exciting”.

“Mum’s over the moon,” the Bombers stopper said when asked about his family’s thoughts of the move.

“It’ll be very good for me and just very exciting for all of my family. It’ll be nice to get back and see them a bit more.”

Zerk-Thatcher was spotted at the Airport alongside Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley as the Power and their potential recruit look to have a deal finalised this coming trade period.

The Bombers are likely to play hard-ball in negotiations for Zerk-Thatcher given the backman played all but one game in the red and black this year.

The lockdown Don said he is hopeful an agreement will be reached between the Power and Bombers, with the former said to be confident in brokering a trade to attain his signature.

 

“They seem pretty confident in getting it all done,” Zerk-Thatcher said of his likely new club.

“It’s exciting. I’ve got the opportunity to request a trade home. Hopefully it all gets done.”

Zerk-Thatcher joined Essendon through the 2017 National Draft and has played 51 games in the red sash since his debut in 2019.

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Essendon are reportedly prepared to have a sizeable contract offer ready to acquire St Kilda free agent Jade Gresham via the Pre-Season Draft if needed.

The Bombers are set to submit the required paperwork for a move to acquire Gresham no later than today, with the Saints then weighing up whether to match the bid for the restricted free agent and to enter trade discussions for the South Morang junior.

St Kilda are prepared to retain the half-forward if a move fails to transpire, but the threat of Essendon allowing Gresham to walk to the Pre-Season Draft looms as a potential avenue the Bombers could pursue if the Saints look to force a trade.

According to News Corp, Essendon is ready to offer Gresham a front-ended offer that would likely outbid clubs like Hawthorn, who are ahead of them in the Pre-Season Draft order.

The Bombers would prefer to sign Gresham before Friday’s 5:00pm (AEDT) free agency deadline, though, while St Kilda could view the return of compensation for the 26-year-old as the safest outcome despite the uncertainty surrounding the value of the draft selection they’d receive in return.