Zach Merrett was in the news to start the week.

Not only did he sign a new deal that will keep him at the club until 2021, he also polled well in the Brownlow Medal.

Merrett's 19 votes put him alongside some elite company.

General Manager of Football Operation Rob Kerr gave an update on the state of the list and the start date for the pre-season.

While Coach John Worsfold outlined what the returning players have in store for them next year.

The Dons will have a strong hand at the draft table next month and some of the best prospects were on display on Friday.

In Grand Final week, we took a look back at Essendon's five most recent premiership triumphs (1965, 1984, 1985, 1993 and 2000).

Dan Eddy looked back of Essendon's four straight premierships and also the career of Dick Reynolds.

The Football Woman of the Year was awarded in front of around 1,000 people in an event presented by the Essendon Women's Network.

And we also reflected on the seasons of Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Jayden Laverde.