Brad Scott is adamant Dyson Heppell nonetheless warrants a spot in Essendon’s first alternative line-up, declaring the previous captain an essential a part of his crew’s evolution.
Heppell, 30, will play towards GWS on Sunday because the Bombers (2-1) search to bounce again from their first lack of the season.
But his place has been questioned after a gradual begin to 2023, wherein he has averaged 15 disposals throughout the opening three rounds.
“The value that Dyson brings is immeasurable – his leadership, his sense of calm when things aren’t particularly going well – and with a young and inexperienced group, it’s really important to have seniority around them,” Bombers coach Scott informed reporters on Friday.
“The positives that Dyson brings are really hard to see publicly. You certainly don’t see them on the stats sheet.
“He’s a very proud competitor and he is a very essential individual and participant for us.
“He’ll be in the team this week and I understand that there will be a focus on a lot of the more senior players in a lot of teams across the AFL, but what Dyson Heppell has done for this club over a 10-year-plus period has been absolutely critical.
“Right the place we’re at when it comes to our evolution as a crew, Dyson’s a very essential participant for what we’re doing.”
Asked specifically about whether Heppell deserves a position in the Bombers’ strongest line-up, Scott added: “We decide the crew, not anybody else, so the perfect 22 is what we expect.”
Jake Stringer is another Bombers veteran under the spotlight, having made a quiet return from a hamstring injury in last week’s loss to St Kilda.
The 28-year-old kicked one goal from eight disposals and helped curtail the early damage done by Saints defender Callum Wilkie.
Essendon would welcome greater impact from Stringer but Scott won’t ask too much of the potential match-winner.
“We actually struggled to deliver the ball to floor inside our forward-50 at the beginning of the (St Kilda) recreation and Jake performed that position for us and did it rather well,” Scott mentioned.
“That’s what we take a look at much more than simply pure output on the stats sheet.
“He played the role that we’re asking him to.
“We’re not asking him to do any extra or any much less than simply his position for the crew.”
Scott said ruckman Sam Draper and speedster Alwyn Davey Jnr are set to play against GWS, having overcome minor injury concerns.
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher will return in defence if his sore ankle pulls up well from Friday’s training session.
But McDonald-Tipungwuti must impress at VFL level before being considered for a recall.
The cult hero made a quick look because the substitute in spherical one however has since been sidelined after struggling quadriceps soreness.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
