AFL Player #21: Dyson Heppell aka Farnsy

[Lore]

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

 

[Mercurial89]

He really punched his kicks tonight and seemed to react quicker to make a decision.

Immense second half.

 

[Blind Turn]

Possibly the best I’ve seen him play since the saga.

 

[JayJ20]

Best game from him since 2018 or 2019. Really stood up and showed leadership in the second half.

 

[boncer34]

Kept his good form going.

 

[IHurley]

He's been good for a few weeks now but outstanding last night. So many differences in our team vs last year but the biggest one is having lots of players around the ground who can take contested marks. Heppell, Cox, Langford and Jones especially.

It's the reverse of us last year where teams knew if they could force us to bomb it long from defence a turnover was all but guaranteed so that's what they focused on. So when McKenna left we were utterly stuffed. Now we have lots of options for getting out of defence (including long bombs) and opposition teams are finding it much harder to stop our transition.

 

[fairbump_playon]

Big pile off the skipper - thank god and about time.

 

[ant555]

His last 6 weeks have ben very good. I had a few doubts on him getting back to his best form and handling half back but every week he has played he has been better. The intercept marks and work rate have been massive.

 

[Tazdog]

Heppell should be dropped but we have no one to drop him for

 

[ant555]

His best ever game?

Great game but he has had plenty that where better.

 

[Zach Package]

5th in the comp for intercepts on average if you take out the one game wonders.

On days where he’s got his legs under him he is a hell of a footballer wherever he plays

 

[11kgm]

He was playing like dog s**t early on in the season now he is back to the Heppell of old

 

[essendon]

I loved it at the start of the team song where he goes "Lads, give this some ******* juice". It made for maximum hype in the team song!

was trying to work out what he said....................

 

[cobra land]

His marking was a real feature in his game last night especially considering the wet conditions, looks injury free at last and it was a great captains game.

 

[Ambrosia]

His footy iq is off the charts

 

[blitzer]

Just needed time to regain confidence in his body and form. I think was being held to a harsh standard early in the year in a defense that was full of new faces and hadn't yet worked out how to work together.

I think its because people look at Heppell and they say "He's slow and he's not a great kick" - which is true but its always been true and he's been a bloody good player before. Certainly rumours of his demise at 28 are definitely premature.

Now that he's got his form back he's now starting to intercept mark and when he gets the ball he's more decisive and quicker to move it on. It makes a big difference no doubt.

 

[NAB777]

Best game in a lllloooongg time. Looks really lean & seemingly fitter each week.

 

[Vindicater]

Happy to eat crow.

He looked cooked early in the season.

 

[FTP]

Hey Dons fans,

On FTP this week we discussed Dyson Heppell's move to defence and how it has provided so much value to the team.

Apologies for the long post but I have to post it here. The full article is here - https://footytalkingpoints.com.au/2021/06/03/ftp-11/

If you enjoy this kind of analysis, please subscribe to my blog - we do this kind of stuff weekly!



Dyson Heppell’s (#21) move back to defence where he first started his career is proving a master stroke by Ben Rutten and the Essendon coaching staff. When you watch Heppell, you see his leadership shine immediately. He is constantly pointing at players to move into the right position – navigating not only his back 6 but his midfield further up the ground.

His numbers as a backman are solid, averaging 25.1 disposals a game (7th among AFL defenders), 7.9 marks, 4 rebound 50’s going at 82% DE (career best) and is 4th in the league for total intercepts. Much of the value of having Heppell in the backline for his own play is secondary to the real benefit – it has given opportunities to other teammates to play in the midfield. The young core of Merrett, McGrath and Parish are all now getting reps together in a midfield that is winning games. This is important because Essendon’s next premiership contending team will have those 3 players in the prime of their careers – not Heppell. But Heppell is playing an important role.

He provides the drive forward from Essendon’s defence, many a times linking up with hands or by foot to his midfielders up the ground. Heppell’s not overly quick but he’s a smart player – positioning himself in the right area’s to either get used on the counter attack or set up defensively. He wins one on ones when he needs to.




Heppell will never be considered an elite player but he’s solid in a range of areas. His kicking ranges from OK to good – he can still make costly turnovers at times with little pressure.





It’s sometimes hit and miss with Heppell – nailing a kick by weighting it beautifully to a team mate or shanking it and missing it completely. Defensively it’s much of the same. He’s decent in one on one situations against opponents, strong enough to hold his own and courageous enough to come off his man and impact the contest.

Recently, he is making the right decision and defending strongly more often than not. In the below, he reads the play well. Heppell pushes back to help his teammate with a long 1v1 against Darling but then reads Ryan’s eyes and comes forward just in time to spoil the ball and follows up with a possession. Heppell isn’t done though, he realises it’s a likely turnover and locates a man – the larger Darling. The ball comes back in again and Heppell defends the long ball. It’s amazing commitment.





Praise must be given to Heppell – its commendable to give up your inside midfield role as a captain and swallow your pride and play a different position. Essendon has generated immeasurable value from the move though. It ensures Heppell is less exposed to injuries that have cruelled him recently by playing a less physically taxing role, whilst allowing him to use his smarts and leadership from the backline to set up his team behind the play. Sometimes the best leaders and players are the ones that can see the game in front of them and read the game from the back – directing and leading their team. Essendon in the midst of a mini rebuild but are now pushing for finals. It shows how much bringing in youth can change the life and exuberance of a team. Essendon are one of the most exciting teams to watch in the game and Heppell is a key reason why.

 

[Hird05]

Just needed time to regain confidence in his body and form. I think was being held to a harsh standard early in the year in a defense that was full of new faces and hadn't yet worked out how to work together.

I think its because people look at Heppell and they say "He's slow and he's not a great kick" - which is true but its always been true and he's been a bloody good player before. Certainly rumours of his demise at 28 are definitely premature.

Now that he's got his form back he's now starting to intercept mark and when he gets the ball he's more decisive and quicker to move it on. It makes a big difference no doubt.

29 now but looks like he can keep going for a few years at least. Wonder what that means for Merretts clear desire to captain. Mcgrath will turn 25 in 2023. Very interesting decision to make.

 

[Ambrosia]

Have not been his biggest fan but his ball use was exceptional last night if he keeps this up he may still have a few years left.

 

[naraku]

Hepp looks settled down back now and looks good. Leading from down back seems to inspire him a little more as well. Big tick so far.

 

[eDPS]

A lot can be said for Rutten and the youth playing well but it can’t be underestimated how important it is for your captain to have a sustained run in the team which he didn’t have last year, when your captain is having this sort of output your going to be in a strong position.

 

[the PILL]

I am really glad we've been able to let him go full circle and end up back in his natural position. He's a fantastic halfback and now plays the "General" role with his acquired leadership credentials.

He had above average skills at the beginning of his career so we midfielded him when the cupboard was virtually bare after Jobe and it beat him up bad.

Dyson deserves some success for his path and to see him generally excited by this current movement is just fantastic.

Truck gets a mention here for being a great identifier of players playing their best roles...

 

[The Devils Advocate]

Reckon his leadership down back lifts some pretty average players to a decent level. He was very vocal at ground level to Zerk and Stewart on the weekend. He's pretty much taken Hurley's General style role this season.

 

[cobra land]

Looks a different player off half back, his kicking, decision making & marking have all have improved.
He's a very good leader and is having a great 2nd half of the year so far.
Glad that he's getting some recognition on here as he deserves some credit for our resurgence.