The wife of Essendon veteran Zach Merrett has deleted her TikTok upload that caused a stir after she stated she left his game at halftime when the Bombers were trailing by 50 points.
The Western Bulldogs defeated Essendon 14.15 (99) to 9.11 (65) on Saturday night to move clear on top of the AFL ladder as the only unbeaten team, while the Bombers are yet to record a victory.
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It was looking grim at halftime with the Dogs leading by 54 points and Essendon having scored just one goal after two quarters.
Alexandra Merrett posted a video to TikTok with the caption: “When your husband’s team is losing by 50 points at halftime so you go to Gimlet instead.”
She had shared a “get ready with me” outfit check before the game on her social media channels.
The clip showed her sipping a glass of wine at a restaurant, presumably Gimlet, one of Melbourne’s famous gourmet hotspots.
Essendon did put up a fight in the second half against the Bulldogs, scoring eight goals in a far more competitive showing to reduce the margin to 34 points.
On Tuesday evening however the eyebrow raising post was nowhere to be seen on Alexandra’s TikTok account.
The social media clip sparked fierce backlash, with commentators arguing it wasn’t exactly helpful for Merrett, who has returned to the Bombers and stepped down from the captaincy after requesting a trade to Hawthorn last year.
“The fact of the matter is … it’s not helping Zach’s relationship to mend with the fans and the club and the playing group,’’ former Carlton player Sam Docherty said on 3AW.
“They’re distractions. I know this is the way that life is these days, but at the same time when you drill it down is putting that up really worth the scrutiny that your husband is going to get.”
Veteran footy reporter Caroline Wilson added: “I did find the Alex Merrett post a little bit unusual.”
Despite the backlash, Alexandra received support from former AFL star Dale Thomas and fellow WAG Tayla Broad.
“Just when you couldn’t think the world was any more cooked, we’ve now taken exception to the fact that Alexandra Merrett has gone to Gimlet instead of watching the second half of the game,’’ Thomas said.
“One, Gimlet, an amazing establishment; two, it’s heaps better than watching that absolute putrid nonsense the Bombers were serving up; three, they actually dominated the second half, so Bombers fans, maybe encourage her to get there from the start of the game, (you) could win one. This is absolutely ridiculous.”
Broad, wife of Richmond’s Nathan Broad, commented on Thomas’ post: “Everyone needs to let the girl live. It isn’t her job ahahah !!! Well said.”
Merrett is contracted at Essendon until the end of the 2027 but his future remains a talking point given the Bombers’ struggles.
Essendon next take on the Melbourne Demons on Saturday at Gather Round in Adelaide.
