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

 

[Kong]

Pity that Gil played over 200 games for Uni Blues - Think he was captain and played in a premiership. he has footy pedigree.

Fair point.

He's still a campaigner though.

 

[Mercuri Rising]

Walked past the great man (Doise, not Gil) on Rose St today. Just reaffirmed that I'm more likely to freeze up and avert my eyes in this situation than fangirl it up... #blankourboys

 

[daffo]

That Heppell has only kicked 20 goals in his career surprises me.

I know he played off half back in 2011 and for some of 2012 as well, but he seems to pop up not that infrequently with a goal these days. If he gets the ball on his left side, in a position to snap and within range, I usually feel pretty good about his chances.

That doesn't surprise me at all. he doesn't kick well at all. It's something he needs to work on. You can pretty much write off any set shot for goal from him from 35+ metres away.

Still a gun. If he kicked 10 more goals this year he could have won the brownlow.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

That doesn't surprise me at all. he doesn't kick well at all. It's something he needs to work on. You can pretty much write off any set shot for goal from him from 35+ metres away.

Still a gun. If he kicked 10 more goals this year he could have won the brownlow.

Has got better in the last half a season. First half I agree. His kicking has really improved off both feet, less floaty kicking and more precise.

 

[Doss]

I wasn't talking about set shots.

Snapping on the run, I like his chances and he seems to pop up not that infrequently doing that these days.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I wasn't talking about set shots.

Snapping on the run, I like his chances and he seems to pop up not that infrequently doing that these days.

Goal stats are ridiculous when he played the best part of 2 years on the HB. He has become a goalkicking mid this year! It is why people are tagging him and then realising how stupid that was as him more than anyone can burn a tag!

 

[gillon]

Think you'll notice that the last couple times he's had it around the 45 metre mark he's played on to try and get more penetration, made the distance both times but missed.

 

[Matthew_Lloyd]

Getting very close to overtaking Watson now..

 

[Childish Gambino]

Getting very close to overtaking Watson now..

He has. Not even up for debate anymore. He is our number one player.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Will be next captain too.

 

[rines]

He has. Not even up for debate anymore. He is our number one player.

Said that in July, tonight proves it.

Is absolutely our #1 player now. Star. Proper Elite.. not darcy elite.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

I'l be almost tempted to make him captain next season that way Jobe can just focus on playing well.

 

[rines]

I'l be almost tempted to make him captain next season that way Jobe can just focus on playing well.

I'd like to see him as Vice first. And then he can play a season or two under Watson.. then he plays as Season as captain with Watson still in the side (like Hird/Lloyd/Watson did) and pass the baton that way.

No need to burden him just yet.. plenty of time.. plenty of time!

 

[quotemokc]

Wouldn't hurt for someone to give him a few lessons on set shots.

 

[BrunoV]

Haven't read the forum yet and didn't listen to the commentary.

Best on ground? Only missed targets with 65% of kicks.

 

[Matthew_Lloyd]

He has. Not even up for debate anymore. He is our number one player.

I'd give it another year before he does go past him. But yeah, probably by the middle of next year Heppell will have shot past him

 

[Kong]

I find it interesting to watch which players stand up in finals.

For example I rate Taylor Walker and Jack Gunston that bit higher because they've shown that they go up a notch in finals.

Hird used to do it, and Dyson showed last night that he does it.

If there was any lingering doubt on him as a player, last night removed it.

He's a genuine star, and comfortably our best player.

 

[Charliebrow 16]

He was in our top two players last night, but made some uncharacteristic errors by foot when trying to find a leading target inside the forward fifty. I think the glove somewhat effected the way he was dropping the ball too.

I too think he's gone past Watson to become our best player. It was always going to happen at some stage, but the way he lead and ultimately carried this team in the second half of the year was admirable. He's only going to continue getting better.

 

[MAAAATTDAAAAMON]

I'l be almost tempted to make him captain next season that way Jobe can just focus on playing well.

This is crazy talk.

Jobe has played consistently well as captain. He is one of the very best captains in the AFL. Heppell is the one who should be just focusing on his footy. He doesn't need a distraction. To me it is simple. Jobe captain with 2 vice captains- Heppell and BJ.

Take another look in 12 months.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

This is crazy talk.

Jobe has played consistently well as captain. He is one of the very best captains in the AFL. Heppell is the one who should be just focusing on his footy. He doesn't need a distraction. To me it is simple. Jobe captain with 2 vice captains- Heppell and BJ.

Take another look in 12 months.

Agree.

 

[calyam]

This is crazy talk.

Jobe has played consistently well as captain. He is one of the very best captains in the AFL. Heppell is the one who should be just focusing on his footy. He doesn't need a distraction. To me it is simple. Jobe captain with 2 vice captains- Heppell and BJ.

Take another look in 12 months.

Yeah, it's a bit silly. There's no evidence that Watson is struggling with the captaincy or in need of a break.

Watson remains captain for another two seasons and then makes way for Heppell who at 24 will be the perfect age to take over. Watson then plays his remaining years under him. Just like Hird did.

 

[JDavey]

Heppell should just be improving his game. Kicking and top speed with some more time in the weights room. Captaincy is a couple years away at least. Our best player come next year.

 

[2one2]

Absolute gun but let's not blow our loads with captaincy. Ask anyone who the best captains in the AFL are right now and Jobe will be amongst the top 3 every ****ing time.

 

[Kong]

Absolute gun but let's not blow our loads with captaincy. Ask anyone who the best captains in the AFL are right now and Jobe will be amongst the top 3 every ******* time.

And on the other side, look at Marc Murphy and Trent Cotchin.

Two prodigious talents that were probably given the captaincy too early and have both subsequently stunk it up.

 

[Towno78]

You're all premature on the gone past Watson calls. Let's not forget Watson has been playing underdone and you cannot underestimate the significance of his injury. I can count on 1 hand the injuries that would be worse for an afl footballer to come back from.
Heppell has been very good, but not to the level of Watson in 2012/13. Not yet that is.