Opinion Next EFC Captain

[eth-dog]

As long as it isn't a hack like Nick Maxwell I'm happy. Could definitely see Hurls becoming a captain, whenever we need it after a half time break, he comes out full of aggression looking to lay a few solid bumps and get his teammates pumped up ala Lloyd rd 22, 2009

Geez this guy is underrated on here

 

[VelvetSledge]

As long as it isn't a hack like Nick Maxwell I'm happy. Could definitely see Hurls becoming a captain, whenever we need it after a half time break, he comes out full of aggression looking to lay a few solid bumps and get his teammates pumped up ala Lloyd rd 22, 2009

And look how that turned out!

 

[VelvetSledge]

Geez this guy is underrated on here

Yeah, this. Not sure why he's so maligned.

 

[BrunoV]

I'm kind of shocked to read that people think Heppell speaks well.

 

[Bark Maguley]

I'm kind of shocked to read that people think Heppell speaks well.

hi guys another episode of doisons diary 4 ya, just up packing me bag for the perth trip. cya guys

 

[VelvetSledge]

I'm kind of shocked to read that people think Heppell speaks well.

I think he's the only person who pronounces "guys" like "goise"

 

[JR95]

Come on guys, stop giving it to Heppell. I know he doesn't have the most extensive vocabulary at the club but gee wizz, cut him some slack. How well did you speak when you were 21, let alone in front of the media? It isn't just about how well you speak and your vocab, it's about your attitude and work ethic, which I might say Dyson is in a league of his own when it comes to these things.

By the way he takes so many interviews during the week after training and by going on programmes like The Footy Show and being interviewed after a game, shows me he is being groomed for the captaincy or at least a high leadership role.

I know you guys all love him just as much as I do and that you are only having a little dig for a giggle, but just thought I would point out how lucky we are to have him playing for our mighty club.

If you think Heppell speaks like a 'bogan', then I suggest you listen to Paddy Ryder next time he has an interview.

 

[Old Campaigner]

If you think Heppell speaks like a 'bogan', then I suggest you listen to Paddy Ryder next time he has an interview.

Yes but english probably isn't Ryder's first language.

 

[Lord Nicholson]

Just because someone isn't fazed by the media, i.e. a country boy, doesn't mean they're captaincy material.

And Nick Maxwell, at least from the outside looking in, is an excellent captain. And indeed, one of the most successful.

 

[Bark Maguley]

Just because someone isn't fazed by the media, i.e. a country boy, doesn't mean they're captaincy material.

And Nick Maxwell, at least from the outside looking in, is an excellent captain. And indeed, one of the most successful.

never seen 44 guys go to war like that mate

 

[wasupwidat]

Providing we re-sign him and he forces his way into the side, Moose would be a very good leader.

 

[Lord Nicholson]

never seen 44 guys go to war like that mate

He talks in Malthouseisms, and sure that stuff's a wank.

I'm more willing to judge him on where he was 7 days later.

 

[BrunoV]

Come on guys, stop giving it to Heppell. I know he doesn't have the most extensive vocabulary at the club but gee wizz, cut him some slack. How well did you speak when you were 21, let alone in front of the media? It isn't just about how well you speak and your vocab, it's about your attitude and work ethic, which I might say Dyson is in a league of his own when it comes to these things.

...

Where does this come from? How does a fan rank the work ethic and attitude of players so absolutely?

 

[fishardansin]

I have wasted/spent my bigfooty time this week in the hot topic .... giving it one more chance!!

So I'm not even going to bother reading through this. Heppell is now in his third year and is already one of our better mids.

After playing just 5 games Heppell was described by Gary Lyon as "looking like he's played 200 games".

His leadership is probably as good as it gets if you read up about the things he did for Gippsland, like take 3/4 time addresses.

Watson probably has another 3 years as captain after this, 2 at minimum. Heppell will be in his prime and playing at a level similar to Pendlebury.

Heppell is the next captain .... and will be one of the great captains of Essendon and the AFL/VFL.

 

[Bark Maguley]

Where has sneakyjetta gone?

 

[hurlygurdy]

I have wasted/spent my bigfooty time this week in the hot topic .... giving it one more chance!!

So I'm not even going to bother reading through this. Heppell is now in his third year and is already one of our better mids.

After playing just 5 games Heppell was described by Gary Lyon as "looking like he's played 200 games".

His leadership is probably as good as it gets if you read up about the things he did for Gippsland, like take 3/4 time addresses.

Watson probably has another 3 years as captain after this, 2 at minimum. Heppell will be in his prime and playing at a level similar to Pendlebury.

Heppell is the next captain .... and will be one of the great captains of Essendon and the AFL/VFL.

Meh, maybe...
And where will Carlisle be at that point?
Heppell by a nose right now, but no way to predict it at this point... The player who is most respected and in their prime will get the gig. There's years of footy ahead for each of the possibilities to develop and stake their claim. I hope they are all looking ahead right now and trying to set themselves for it...

 

[BrunoV]

Everything fishardansin has said could be said about Hurley, Zaharakis, Carlisle and I know for a fact that Myers is very highly thought of as a leader (although his on field development was largely stalled by injury). Heppell was physically mature enough to be an effective player for game 1 whereas most other players take a few years to really assert themselves (I'd say that when on field Hurley was actually a better first year player anyway). That is the only difference at this stage.

 

[Whispering_Jack]

I would say Heppell being in the leadership group in his 3rd season means a fair bit too..

 

[Watson_my_mind]

Carlisle. Screams leadership. Big clutch moments, would love to hear him get more vocal but he can be our Darren Glass/Tom Harley

 

[Old Campaigner]

Where has sneakyjetta gone?

To a better place hopefully.

 

[drew_j]

If Jobe wasn't there I'd vote for Widerlich. That guy has leader writen all over him.

 

[Essendonia]

Tough to call now.

For some reason, I presently wouldn't want Zaka. I feel as though he doesn't perform enough 'desperate acts' in matches. He's still building from his injury, but not sure he's that player anyway. Some of the second, third efforts, running back with the flight, lunge tackles, pack clearances etc from Heppell just seem so much more inspirational to me than Zaka's timely positioning on the end of a pass or outside a pack. You know Heppell and Hurley will go get their hands dirty when required...and when not required. Back them in every time to neutralise or win a contest.

A captain is successful relative to his standing and impact upon the playing group. This is one aspect we cannot judge accurately, but can only speculate upon. The fact that the group is so tight makes it even harder to ascertain who is motivating/leading, when they are all helping each other out.

 

[Autobahn]

Heppell so far:

Honours 2010
Gippsland's captain for the 2010 season
Gippsland Powers Best and Fairest Award.
U18 All-Australian
Morrish Medal (best and fairest player in the TAC Cup regular season)
AFL U18's VIC Country MVP
TAC Cup TOTY

Honours 2011
Nab Rising star winner (polling 44 of a possible 45 votes )
AFL Players' Association's best 1st year player
7th in Crichton medal

Honours 2012
AFL Coaches Association's best young player
2nd in Crichton medal

Captaincy is his destiny, imo.

 

[fishardansin]

Everything fishardansin has said could be said about Hurley, Zaharakis, Carlisle and I know for a fact that Myers is very highly thought of as a leader (although his on field development was largely stalled by injury). Heppell was physically mature enough to be an effective player for game 1 whereas most other players take a few years to really assert themselves (I'd say that when on field Hurley was actually a better first year player anyway). That is the only difference at this stage.

That's not true. Hurley and Carlisle are not natural leaders and are actually fairly shy kids in many ways. Zaka is a bit of a smartarse.

Heppell is the only one who drags an ordinary TAC cups side into the finals then single handedly wins the prelim with over 40 possies and a few goals. On top of that he takes the 3/4 time address to fire up the troops.

 

[Essendonia]

These days it's more about the actual leader who can marshall and organise the troops, rather than simply lead by example, though both aspects are required.

It's no small thing that Hurls went along to the US trip with most of the other leadership, and it may be some sort of grooming.