Scott offers Merrett wife Gimlet voucher after TikTok row
Source: heraldsun.com.au
TL;DR
- Essendon coach Brad Scott offered a gift voucher to Gimlet to Alexandra Merrett after backlash over her TikTok post.
- Alexandra, wife of ex-skipper Zach Merrett, posted about leaving the Bombers' game at halftime down 50 points to dine at the restaurant.
- Scott defended her amid furore from the club's heavy loss to Western Bulldogs, backing players' partners.
The story at a glance
Essendon coach Brad Scott defended Alexandra Merrett, wife of former captain Zach Merrett, after she faced criticism for a TikTok video posted during the Bombers' big halftime deficit against the Western Bulldogs. Scott offered her a gift voucher to Gimlet, the upscale Melbourne restaurant she visited and featured in the clip. The story broke now following the recent round-four loss, highlighting tensions around Essendon's poor form.[[1]](https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/zach-merretts-wife-shares-unusual-post-leaving-essendon-game-at-halftime/news-story/aca370ea93873c42d93d612195174f76)[[2]](https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/sport/afl/brad-scott-offers-alexandra-merrett-a-gift-voucher-to-gimlet-after-furore-over-tiktok-post/news-story/54ee52a7100f8827088c32232708aab7)
Key points
- Alexandra Merrett captioned her TikTok: “When your husband’s team is losing by 50 points at half time so you go to Gimlet instead”, showing her sipping wine; the post was later deleted.[[1]](https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/zach-merretts-wife-shares-unusual-post-leaving-essendon-game-at-halftime/news-story/aca370ea93873c42d93d612195174f76)
- Essendon trailed Western Bulldogs 54 points at halftime (1 goal to 10) at Marvel Stadium before a second-half fightback, but lost their 17th straight game.[[3]](https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/debate-rages-over-alexandra-merretts-social-media-post-during-essendons-loss-to-western-bulldogs-c-22100901)
- The post sparked online criticism and media debate, with some calling it a poor look for the club amid Zach Merrett's recent trade request to Hawthorn and loss of captaincy.[[4]](https://www.nine.com.au/sport/afl/new-2026-essendon-bombers-zach-merrett-wife-leaves-game-andy-mcgrath-sam-docherty-20260406-p5zlnm.html)
- Brad Scott defended Alexandra in comments reported by Herald Sun, offering the voucher to support players' partners during the team's struggles.[[2]](https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/sport/afl/brad-scott-offers-alexandra-merrett-a-gift-voucher-to-gimlet-after-furore-over-tiktok-post/news-story/54ee52a7100f8827088c32232708aab7)
- James Hird slammed "Merrett bashing", urging critics to "leave them alone".[[4]](https://www.nine.com.au/sport/afl/new-2026-essendon-bombers-zach-merrett-wife-leaves-game-andy-mcgrath-sam-docherty-20260406-p5zlnm.html)
Details and context
Zach Merrett requested a trade to Hawthorn last year but stayed at Essendon, giving up the captaincy to Andrew McGrath; Alexandra reportedly pushed for the move, adding to family-club friction.[[5]](https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/jon-ralph-alexandra-merretts-message-during-essendons-loss-to-the-bulldogs-was-clear/news-story/c52a2885a7b72cd45040f128b9f4b1fe)
The Gimlet post came amid Essendon's dismal 17-game losing streak into 2026, fuelling fan frustration and pressure on coach Scott.
Media figures like Caroline Wilson called it "a poor look for the footy club", while others defended Alexandra's right to post freely as a non-club employee.[[6]](https://www.facebook.com/7AFL/videos/caroline-wilson-on-alexandra-merretts-tiktok/929570389791801)
Scott's light-hearted voucher offer aims to defuse tension, showing support for partners off-field.
Key quotes
- Brad Scott (reported): Offered Alexandra Merrett a “gift voucher to Gimlet” while defending her after the furore.[[2]](https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/sport/afl/brad-scott-offers-alexandra-merrett-a-gift-voucher-to-gimlet-after-furore-over-tiktok-post/news-story/54ee52a7100f8827088c32232708aab7)
- James Hird: “Leave them alone” amid Merrett bashing.[[4]](https://www.nine.com.au/sport/afl/new-2026-essendon-bombers-zach-merrett-wife-leaves-game-andy-mcgrath-sam-docherty-20260406-p5zlnm.html)
Why it matters
It underscores strains at Essendon from prolonged losses and internal issues like Merrett's trade saga.
For fans and players' families, it highlights scrutiny on WAGs and off-field support during poor results.
Watch Essendon's next games and any contract updates for Zach Merrett, as pressure on Scott grows.[[7]](https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/brad-scott-offers-alexandra-merrett-a-gift-voucher-to-gimlet-after-furore-over-tiktok-post/news-story/54ee52a7100f8827088c32232708aab7)