Retired #21: Dyson Heppell - Goodnight, sweet prince. What a legend! 🤙 - 24/8

[Lore]

Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent 2024
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 27, Highly Evolved

 

[craffles]

And he was rated third best player by the coaches - Enough said.

You can't just use a subjective award and then write "enough said" to end a discussion, the facts are every second possession Heppell had was ineffective and of the other 50% plenty of them were to terrible options.

You should re-watch the game and rounds 1-3, his ball use & decision making has been absolutely terrible which is simply not good enough

 

[Doss]

Yeah sorry, I can’t accept it’s a non-issue either. He was vitally important to us without doubt and his overall work was a key factor in our win, but you should not be missing as many targets by foot as he did.

There was one particularly woeful turnover just back of centre that led directly to a Port goal, the sort that less popular players get roasted over. That needs to be ironed out.

 

[Towno78]

And he was rated third best player by the coaches - Enough said.

A player playing well and having issues with a particular aspect of his game are not mutually exclusive, and coincidentally is what we have here. Your argument is flawed.

 

[eth-dog]

Heppell had a good game but his kicking was an issue. Same with Zaharakis.

 

[Learntopray]

His kicking has fallen off a cliff. Consistently cannot hit a simple target and gets burnt the other way for speed on the turnover.

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

I have to admit I’m concerned about how poor Dyson’s disposal has been this year. If he turns it over and can’t stay with his man he becomes....the word liability is way too strong as he still brings a lot to the table...but it is starting to concern me that he is not handling the captaincy well, or something. Cannot put my finger on it.

 

[BrunoV]

If we could re-program Heppell to approach the game the way Heath Hocking approached the game during the better parts of Heath's career, it would be a great outcome for the team.

Having this guy as our number 1 midfielder is really just bizarre. He is the least damaging player in that role in the competition to go along with the 'defensive liability' aspect of these players.

He is either going to have to go to another level, which I don't believe he possesses, or he's going to have to come to terms with the selfless aspect of being a midfielder or he's just going to be problematic for the shape/structure/balance of the midfield.

He's a B grade midfielder who plays as though he's A grade. Sure he's captain, bla, bla, bla...but our midfield is shit and he's a big part of that.

 

[pepsi]

In the first quarter where i thought we played well and could have been a couple of goals up, dyson kicked the ball horribly. Really worried about his disposal this season.

 

[Mr_McBoogerBalls]

Not harping on the "rarghhh Heppell" anger hate train here, but at the end of the day a leader has to lead by example - his example is pretty shithouse this year.

Looking forward to seeing him step it up, which I'm confident he will.

 

[number 75]

If we could re-program Heppell to approach the game the way Heath Hocking approached the game during the better parts of Heath's career, it would be a great outcome for the team.

Having this guy as our number 1 midfielder is really just bizarre. He is the least damaging player in that role in the competition to go along with the 'defensive liability' aspect of these players.

He is either going to have to go to another level, which I don't believe he possesses, or he's going to have to come to terms with the selfless aspect of being a midfielder or he's just going to be problematic for the shape/structure/balance of the midfield.

He's a B grade midfielder who plays as though he's A grade. Sure he's captain, bla, bla, bla...but our midfield is shit and he's a big part of that.

Agree with this and I think would be better suited played down back where he started his career.... when he's in the midfield we look so slow and one paced and what I noticed today was Collingwood's spread from clearances compared to ours was poles apart.

 

[BrunoV]

Agree with this and I think would be better suited played down back where he started his career.... when he's in the midfield we look so slow and one paced and what I noticed today was Collingwood's spread from clearances compared to ours was poles apart.

He wouldn't be better than Gleeson at half back.

The only reason we'd play Heppell at half back is to find a place for him not because it would be a good thing for the team, not with his kicking and lack of pace.

 

[Bombermania]

I thought Hepp was better this week than last week, don't recall seeing any notable clangers.

 

[tperks]

Wouldn’t mind seeing Goddard rested against Melbourne and for hep to play his role across the half back line. Think that role will definitely play to his strengths

 

[Mr_McBoogerBalls]

He wouldn't be better than Gleeson at half back.

True or not, it's a moot point; Gleeson's injured and not getting games.

 

[number 75]

He wouldn't be better than Gleeson at half back.

The only reason we'd play Heppell at half back is to find a place for him not because it would be a good thing for the team, not with his kicking and lack of pace.

His lack of pace is more noticeable playing in the midfield and unfortunately Gleeson will be missing for a while.
Whilst his kicking has been poor it's hasn't always been an issue as far as I can remember.

 

[CBombers17]

We want the club to start making hard decisions, why not start here?

It would send a message to the group if he was dropped thats for sure. Personally i think if the clubs going to get real then nobody should be safe.

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

If we could re-program Heppell to approach the game the way Heath Hocking approached the game during the better parts of Heath's career, it would be a great outcome for the team.

Having this guy as our number 1 midfielder is really just bizarre. He is the least damaging player in that role in the competition to go along with the 'defensive liability' aspect of these players.

He is either going to have to go to another level, which I don't believe he possesses, or he's going to have to come to terms with the selfless aspect of being a midfielder or he's just going to be problematic for the shape/structure/balance of the midfield.

He's a B grade midfielder who plays as though he's A grade. Sure he's captain, bla, bla, bla...but our midfield is shit and he's a big part of that.

Nope. He's better then Zaharakis, Myers, and everyone else bar Merrett.

The problem is not Dyson, the problem is those other guys who aren't good enough or are too young. Paris is still to young and is going to need another year or two. McGrath is too young and hasn't show that much in a midfield role, Taranto looking like a missed opportunity at this stage.

Zaka has no hardness and is a slow outside guy. Myers is well, Myers. Smith is small and doesn't get it enough to be a premier mid.

Goddard is static and only plays behind the ball.

Langford and Laverde are nowhere near AFL level midfielders at this stage.

The fact that he's our number 1 mid is not his fault. Its all the other guys we have that aren't good enough.

FFS, the Cats have Dangerfield, Selwood, Ablett. imo 3 of the best 10 midfielders of the past 20 years. They got Kelly who looks like a steal.
Hawks went out and get Mitchell and Omeara because midfield is number one priority.
GWS have about 6 guys better than our mids including Smith who couldn't get a game there.
Collingwood have drafted/traded in a whole stack of mids adn while it hasn't worked completely they are making the effort and know what is required.

 

[brutus76]

Worzel Gummidge have a shave FFS!!!!!

 

[jmoo wan]

We want the club to start making hard decisions, why not start here?

It would send a message to the group if he was dropped thats for sure. Personally i think if the clubs going to get real then nobody should be safe.

The only message it would send is that we have gone absolutely bat-shit crazy and well and truly lost the plot

 

[number 75]

The only message it would send is that we have gone absolutely bat-shit crazy and well and truly lost the plot

Agree whilst he hasn't been great and his kicking is off to drop him is completely mind boggling !.

 

[Mr_McBoogerBalls]

I agree with the random bloke I was taking a whizz next to at the G:

“Don’t be shy, get in there boys!”

Wait, no, not that; I mean:

“Heppells game has gotten worse since he’s grown that beard!”

 

[Juddernaut08]

Not harping on the "rarghhh Heppell" anger hate train here, but at the end of the day a leader has to lead by example - his example is pretty shithouse this year.

Looking forward to seeing him step it up, which I'm confident he will.

give it to merrett, hurley or daniher end of year.

i hope blues do the same with doch or cripps

 

[Mr_McBoogerBalls]

give it to merrett, hurley or daniher end of year.

i hope blues do the same with doch or cripps

Merrett would absolutely be in line. Not sure on timing as this is Heppell's second year, but he wouldn't be too far off.

 

[faible]

Get a haircut and shave the beard; who was the last premiership captain to look so scruffy for Christ’s sake?

That would be sending a message.

 

[DapperDon]

Nothing wrong with his captaincy. He is still busting a gut on field, it's just his kicking has become an issue this season. I don't know if he's trying to kick past his skill level more as he feels the side needs him to, but something has changed and it's not working.

He wasn't alone today in the "where did your skills go?" department