Player Watch #21: Dyson Heppell (C)

[Lore]

Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent 2022
Last Game Played: Round 16, 2020 (injured)
Injury Status: Tracking well, in full training - 9/2

Spoiler

Building up his training load, integrating with the main group - 20/1
Surgery, new screws, plaster, 10 weeks. Should start pre-season on time - 15/9
Surgery to remove a screw from his ankle - 11/9

 

[EFC 1871]

Welcome to Essendon, Dyson.

Draft profile, taken from the Drafts & Trading board:

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=729725

Height: 189cm
Weight: 80kg
DOB: 14/05/92
Club: Gippsland Power (Vic)Achievements:
2010 Vic Country Team
2010 Vic Country Most Valuable Player
2010 All Australian Selection
2010 Morrish Medalist
2010 TAC Cup Team of the Year
2010 Gippsland Power Captain
2010 Draft Combine Invite

Draft Camp Results:
2nd in Clean Hands Test – 28/30 93% efficiency
3rd in Running Vertical Leap – 86cm
6th in Beep test – 14.13
8th in Standing Vertical Leap – 64cm
20m Sprint – 2.98

Heppell played three matches for Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under-16 Championships, producing 18 disposals, 2 goals and five score assists in his first match against South Australia. He made his debut for Gippsland after that as a 16 year old in the TAC Cup in Round 11 and played in the Preliminary final loss to Dandenong. In 2009 he played 19 games for the Power predominately as a defender, but moved into the midfield at the end of the season to average 24 disposals, four inside 50’s and five rebound 50’s in his last four matches. AFL Prospectus

Left-footed half-back who lopes along before delivering long to the chest of a teammate. Sort of like Grant Birchall with a bouncy gait. Showed in the first game of the championships, against Vic Metro, that he has the wherewithal to recover from setbacks. The question is whether he can break out of a lope and achieve a gallop. Paul Daffey

Skilful left-footed medium defender with penetrating kick, strength overhead and clean hands. Was outstanding for Vic Country in the under-18 championships, winning MVP and All-Australian honours. Averaged 20 disposals at 75 per cent efficiency and four tackles. Kevin Sheehan

He is probably the best rebounding defender in the competition and his importance to Gippsland is unmatched by any other. His kicking is pin point and his effective kicking sets Gippsland up for numerous forward movements. He is strong in the air and clean on the ground, and teams will be keen to curb Heppell’s influence before he tears the game to pieces. He has the licence, as a designated kicker, to find the right options and more often than not his decision making is spot on. TAC Cup Website

In his own words

What type of player are you?
I'm a skilful, attacking defender.

Which AFL player do you feel you resemble and why?
Josh Drummond because he is a very skilful, creative defender with a long, accurate left foot kick.

What are your strengths as a footballer?
Kicking ability, overhead marking, and clean hands at ground level.

What parts of your game would you like to improve?
Explosiveness, ability to break away from stoppages, body strength.

Which AFL team do you support and how did you come to barrack for them?
Essendon, because they were a very successful club when I was in primary school.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career so far, and why?
Dad - he has been a real mentor for me and has supported me with my football.

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=729725

 

[Burzum]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 -

Good selection tbh

 

[Rack Watts]

Welcome to Essendon: Dyson Heppell

Yay! D:d:

 

[Pocket_Pears]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 - Dyson Heppel

Heppell... not sure what to think about that...

 

[Ryder_Hooker]

Re: Welcome to Essendon: Dyson Heppell

Didnt see that coming!

 

[Synth]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 - Dyson Heppel

Heppell... not sure what to think about that...

Mmm....wanted an inside mid.

 

[OzBomber]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 - Dyson Heppel

Any vids? What's he meant to be like?

Eurgh... Dale Thomas hair supposedly.

 

[Bomber4ever]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 -

Yeah, i'm happy with that. He'll slot in nicely.

 

[Rack Watts]

Re: Welcome to Essendon: Dyson Heppell

Yeah to be honest me either, he's more of a HBF isn't he? Good kick of the ball which is great though, hope we pick up some grunt later.

 

[Rack Watts]

Re: Welcome to Essendon: Dyson Heppell

Hope he's better than the other Dyson >_>

 

[lards]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 -

sh*t name but gun player

 

[Rack Watts]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 -

Bombers supporter!
Awesome stuff!!!!

Pick 4 Gaff - West Coast
Pick 5 Polec - Brisbane
Pick 6 Conca - Richmond
Pick 7 Caddy - GC
Pick 8 Heppell - Essendon
Pick 9 Prestia - GC
Pick 10 Gorringe - GC

So far guys.

 

[Duckworth]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 - Dyson Heppell

Says James Hird is his idol. At least he's intelligent.
(guy is probably losing his load about now)

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 -

Don't worry guys, he is an absolute steal at 8. Very Hodge-like in his disposal, rarely misses a target. Will play in the midfield in 2 years time.

Parker at 30 please.

 

[Pocket_Pears]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 - Dyson Heppell

Interesting that we didn't take Atley...

 

[StealthBomber]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 - Dyson Heppell

Hmmmmm....not too sure what to think?!!

Was hoping for a genuine midfielder, not a hbf'er. Can we get more info on this kid?? Nice to see he was rated MVP. Hopefully he wont get re-injured with his OP / groin problems.

Welcome to the EFC young man!

 

[Rack Watts]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 -

Doesn't say much about his speed, seems similar to Myers.

 

[eDPS]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 - Dyson Heppell

very surprised, looks more like a half back but his skills are great and shows leadership, would have though tigers would want some class down back but this kid should do well for us.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 - Dyson Heppell

bombersno1 will be happy. Not sure what to think, but happy to have some elite footskills in the side.

 

[Phone]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 - Dyson Heppell

we're an easy bunch to please.

 

[ghostdog]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 - Dyson Heppell

Was hoping for Caddy, this is a huge plus though:

"Which AFL team do you support and how did you come to barrack for them?
Essendon, because they were a very successful club when I was in primary school."

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 - Dyson Heppell

very surprised, looks more like a half back but his skills are great and shows leadership, would have though tigers would want some class down back but this kid should do well for us.

With Deledio making the successful transition probably put it further down in their needs.

 

[lards]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 -

Don't worry guys, he is an absolute steal at 8. Very Hodge-like in his disposal, rarely misses a target. Will play in the midfield in 2 years time.

Parker at 30 please.

so much for your prestia at 30 haha but I agree with Parker at 30. Hopefully this talk about his groins are horse sh*t.

 

[EFC 1871]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 -

Updated the OP with plenty of info

 

[lards]

Re: National Draft Selection #8 -

thought they would've ditched this countdown crap, much prefer the old way of watching players slide.