Essendon captain Zach Merrett has fronted media on the Brownlow Medal red carpet, saying he feels "shame" amid plans to exit the club.
As the Bombers' best player, Merrett was required to attend Monday night's Brownlow function at Crown despite wanting to move to Hawthorn.
The 29-year-old stopped for waiting media on the red carpet, speaking for the first time since it became public he was desperate to leave the Bombers after 12 seasons.
Merrett gave several interviews, saying he felt "a bit of shame" and hated upsetting the Bombers fans.
"The Bombers fans are the best in the competition," he told the Seven Network.
"There's still things I need to work on to see where I end up.
"It's a bit of a shame at the moment, I am not there to upset fans, I appreciate them dearly."
Merrett said he still "feels the love" from Essendon.
"It's been a difficult time for me and my family when you're dealing with things largely in the media," Merrett, who is contracted until the end of 2027, told Fox Footy.
"It's a place that I absolutely adore and have for 12 years."
Essendon coach Brad Scott, along with Merrett's teammates Mason Redman and Nic Martin, have expressed serious disappointment about the five-time Bombers best-and-fairest wanting out.
Club great Tim Watson said last week it would be "nigh on impossible" for Merrett to play for Essendon again given the fallout.
Even if the Bombers do stand strong and refuse to trade the contracted Merrett, he would have to give up, or be stripped, of the captaincy.
"I still feel like Brad has love for me and support for me," Merrett said.
"We'll see what happens in the next few weeks as we work through what's next for all of us - but there's plenty of factors at play, and a fair bit of uncertainty as well.
"I'll go into detail at a later date, but for the moment right now, I'll get through tonight, wake up tomorrow and get back to training.
"There'll be conversations and meetings had away from the media behind closed doors with the appropriate stakeholders, and we'll see where it lands."
