Essendon coach Brad Scott says there’s a “strong likelihood” Dyson Heppell might captain the Bombers for a seventh season, with the choice to be left to the veteran utility.
Scott mentioned the membership had reached the “pointy end” of its management course of, with the 30-year-old Heppell nonetheless firmly within the operating to steer the facet once more in 2023.
“We’ve said all along that Dyson Heppell is our captain, and that will remain up until we go through our process,” Scott mentioned.
“I suspect there’s a strong likelihood that will still be the case.
“I’ll have a lot of ongoing discussions with Dyson, but we’ll finalise our process before we play the Gold Coast in some unofficial match sim and then we’ll be in a position to announce that.”
Scott mentioned he had admired Heppell’s management and soccer means from afar throughout his time as North Melbourne coach and on the AFL.
“I couldn’t be more impressed with Dyson Heppell … he’s the led this club through quite a challenging period in his career,” he mentioned.
“If he wants to continue as captain, then I suspect that’s what will happen.”
Scott mentioned Essendon would take “upwards of 35 players” to the Gold Coast for a scratch match in opposition to the Suns on February 23.
He dominated out injured trio Matt Guelfi (calf), Zach Reid (foot) and Nik Cox (again) however mentioned the younger key place duo had been “progressing really well” of their recoveries.
Jake Stringer was shifting pain-free and a certainty to play in opposition to Gold Coast, Scott mentioned.
“He will be up on the Gold Coast, 100 per cent,” he mentioned.
“Our focus with Jake has been first and foremost to get him injury free and to get him pain free … now he’s at the stage where he is pain free, our focus has been on building strength and power.”
Scott mentioned criticism of Stringer’s physique form and conditioning over the pre-season was unfair, together with his coaching program tailor-made to concentrate on his most damaging attributes.
“For those who want him to be marathon runner or an elite transitional player, I don’t think that’s what Jake’s strength is … his strength is something very few players in the competition have got,” he mentioned.
Source: www.news.com.au
