Heppell to retire after seeing Bombers through dark era
Essendon stalwart Dyson Heppell will retire likely without the team success he craved, but as a pivotal figure in helping the AFL club move on from its darkest era.
Former captain Heppell announced on Tuesday he will hang up the boots at season’s end.
Across a 14-year, 252-game career, the classy half-back turned midfielder stayed loyal to the Bombers in arguably the most tumultuous period in their history.
Heppell was the final player left at the Bombers from the ‘Essendon 34’ suspended in 2016 as a result of the supplements saga.
Melbourne’s Jake Melksham is the only other member of the ‘Essendon 34’ still playing.
Coach Brad Scott saluted the 32-year-old after he told his teammates of his decision on Tuesday.
“Dyson’s an incredible human being, and he wears his heart on his sleeve, and his love for the Essendon Football Club and for the game itself is clear for all to see and a lot of that came out when he spoke to the players,” Scott said.
“He spoke incredibly well, he’s universally loved at our club and clearly respected. He’s, for a long time, been the glue that’s held this place together.
“And I said to the players that our game and our clubs give us more as individuals than we give to the game and I’m a really strong believer in that.
“But if I can think of anyone in my time in football who’s given more to their club and to the game than they’ve taken from it, it would be Dyson Heppell.
“In a lot of ways, it’s frustrating he hasn’t been able to enjoy the team success that he so richly deserves, but his legacy will be incredibly strong in terms of what he’s given to this club and the solid foundation that he’s laid for the future.
“It does not lessen his legacy one iota, in my opinion, the fact that he’s not a premiership player, because any future success that Essendon enjoys, he will have played a massive part in.”
Heppell could yet play again but isn’t guaranteed a farewell game as the Bombers’ faint finals hopes depend on upsetting high-flyers Sydney and Brisbane, and hoping other results fall their way.
He said with younger players coming in to take his place, he knew it was time to call it quits.
“I’ve been wrestling with the decision for a number of weeks and it’s a decision that certainly hasn’t come lightly or been an easy one but one that I’m super content with,” Heppell said in a club statement.
Drafted with pick No.8 in the 2010 draft, Heppell bows out as an All-Australian, an AFL Rising Star, a Bombers captain from 2017 to 2022 and a one-time club champion.
He never played in a finals win – but indicated he’d had no regrets.
“I’d go back there and do it all again if I could,” Heppell said.
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