Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett is amazed Brownlow Medal favourite Tom Mitchell doesn't get tagged every week, describing the Hawthorn star as more than a ball-magnet.

Mitchell is averaging an AFL-high 36 disposals per game but there has been strong debate about how much damage he causes to opposition teams.

A creative distributor who tends to handball more than kick and set up play from the back half of the ground, Mitchell bears a greater likeness to retired Hawthorn namesake Sam Mitchell than modern-day superstars Patrick Dangerfield or Dustin Martin.

That has influenced the decision of several opposition coaches, most notably Collingwood's Nathan Buckley, not to restrict Mitchell with a hard tag.

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Whether such a move helps or hinders opponents is difficult to assess.

Mitchell had 50 touches against the Magpies last year in a losing side but backed it up with an AFL-record 54 as the Hawks got their revenge in Round 1 this season.

Essendon faces a similar conundrum when it takes on the Hawks on Saturday in what is effectively an eight-point game for both finals hopefuls.

Merrett, himself no stranger to being tagged, believes it's a no-brainer.

"I sort of laugh when people say he has no influence on games," Merrett said on Wednesday.

"He gets a lot of contested possessions, clearances, he kicks goals. It amazes me that he doesn't get tagged week-in, week-out.

"He's a super player and someone who I think really hurts opposition teams. I think he'll be certainly the one to beat for the Brownlow this year."