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

 

[Phone]

I haven't seen any real difference. He got caught more than a bit last year when he moved into the midfield. He's pretty one sided and he doesn't really try to hide it, so it's gonna happen.

 

[Mercurial89]

I thought he was really good tonight, still think that he needs to work on his tank so he can put in more defensive efforts.

 

[yaco55]

Banging my drum.

Sprint work in the post-season to help his speed over the first 5 metres.

 

[Kong]

Needs a haircut.

/darcy

shave those sideburns!

 

[Autobahn]

I can't decide which I'd like to see disappear first: the looping kick or the joe casual jog.

 

[SirJimi05]

Not sure what footy people are watching. He is comfortably in the best 5 players on Essendon's list and has made steady progression in each season he has played. Has taken his game to another level this year.

 

[Kong]

Loved his game tonight, provided a really good "link up" option when the game was there to be won.

 

[Rack Watts]

I can't decide which I'd like to see disappear first: the looping kick or the joe casual jog.

How about the composure, ability to find it and hit a target.
He's AMAZING for a 50 gamer.

 

[Autobahn]

How about the composure, ability to find it and hit a target.
He's AMAZING for a 50 gamer.

Hehe I know I guess it's human nature to want everything to be so damn perfect.

 

[Greggy]

Though it pains me to say, I thought he had a great game tonight. Also your team was far superior all night.

 

[SirJimi05]

Loved his game tonight, provided a really good "link up" option when the game was there to be won.

Whilst he might have provided great link up play, it's his contested ball winning ability which impressed the most. It's like daisy all over again (not directed at you). People can't see past the hair.

 

[Autobahn]

He still needs to stop licking his lips on The Footy Show.

DE-LIST

 

[Kong]

Whilst he might have provided great link up play, it's his contested ball winning ability which impressed the most. It's like daisy all over again (not directed at you). People can't see past the hair.

I don't disagree, that just doesn't surprise me, because he's been doing it for a while now.

I agree though, that a lot of people seem surprised when Heppell's mentioned as a player with "inside" ability.

 

[The Bomb]

We can look at the things he needs to work ala Pace, Defensive side of his game, but in the 2013 pre season he has really worked on his inside game and trying to get to as many contests as possible has really sharpened up his handballs following Watsons lead. I honestly believe he deserves a HUGE tick so far this season.

also tonight again in the last qtr he got back a made a very important spoil just like the spoil he made in the Collingwood game when Dempsey crashed in and took off with the ball. another aspect of his game which is improving, soon he will be doing it multiple times a game and the linking up on the wing.

 

[Drummer_19]

Even saw him sprinting defensively! was a sight to behold.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

Not sure what footy people are watching. He is comfortably in the best 5 players on Essendon's list and has made steady progression in each season he has played. Has taken his game to another level this year.

good post and so very, very correct

 

[blitzer]

I reckon that was probably the best all round game I've seen him play this season. His hands are always sensationally clean (I honestly think he is even cleaner than Watson but has nowhere near the brute strength) and he gave us a lot going forward, but it was the improved defensive work I was pleased with. He actually tackled with some intent and if I was the coaches I would be reinforcing that is exactly how he is to be expected to defend from now on. Also whenever they choose to kick to him in the defensive 50 even if he has two opponents nearby I'm always confident that he won't spill the mark and turn it over.

I think the key for him in the next few seasons is going to be continued strength development because the rest of his game is already great.

 

[BrunoV]

I reckon that was probably the best all round game I've seen him play this season. His hands are always sensationally clean (I honestly think he is even cleaner than Watson but has nowhere near the brute strength) and he gave us a lot going forward, but it was the improved defensive work I was pleased with. He actually tackled with some intent and if I was the coaches I would be reinforcing that is exactly how he is to be expected to defend from now on. Also whenever they choose to kick to him in the defensive 50 even if he has two opponents nearby I'm always confident that he won't spill the mark and turn it over.

I think the key for him in the next few seasons is going to be continued strength development because the rest of his game is already great.

Agreed (with the bolded in particular).

 

[FlyingV]

I think the Pendlebury comparison is actually pretty accurate. I can't tthink of a better match.

 

[Darealrath]

Playing great footy in the middle despite not having the body for it yet. Once he builds more strength through his core and becomes hard to tackle he'll go up another level or two.

 

[rines]

Love Hepp and he had a great game again last night. I think there is a danger that, at times, Hepp goes a little softer on the 'defensive' aspects of the game but that shouldn't be a problem with the right coaching/structures and attitude.

Hepp has footy smarts, great skills both by hand and foot and great vision. These make him the complete package and to think he is only 2.5 years in and 50 games.. the upside is out of this world. I can see him passing a lot and become in the top 5-10 midfielders in the AFL.

I wouldn't be surprised if it is revealed he is carry a slight injury.. looks about 5% off the pace he had last year. I think he is still comfortably in our top 8 players in most games and that is good enough for me.

Midfield with Watson, Stanton, Zaka, Heppell, Goddard, Hocking, Howlett and Myers... has now got to be one of the best in the business. Best inside mid and stopper in the game and then four top 'outside' mids... lovin' it!

 

[HULK HOGAN]

I think the Pendlebury comparison is actually pretty accurate. I can't tthink of a better match.

Definitely, We have been hanging out for this type of player!!

 

[beechy12345]

Pretty sure he won the handball challenge at the draft combine, that was telling last night. Heps is on track to be the next captain of the club

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

G.U.N

 

[Greggy]

All class tonight, great to see him take that grab going back with the flight, would be good if people acknowledged that courage instead of potting him as a soft outside player. He also has an uncanny ability to find space on his left then weight his kicks with precision, great tank also.