Retiring Essendon great Dyson Heppell refused to be handed a farewell AFL game if he didn’t deserve it.
The 32-year-old was dropped after the Bombers’ Round 20 loss to St Kilda and has since announced 2024 would be his last year in the game.
Bombers coach Brad Scott could have recalled the former captain for what would have been his final match in front of Essendon fans in Melbourne on Friday night against Sydney, but Heppell would not allow it, Scott says.
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“Dyson Heppell’s led our club through a really tumultuous period and it speaks to him again that he was very explicit about the fact that he knew it would be time for him to call time on his career when there were players ready and able to take his spot in the team,” Scott said on Fox Footy before Friday’s game.
“He’s still available for selection. We’re still right in the hunt, so he’s training as hard as ever.
“But he’s really explicit about the fact that if there’s a player that’s performing in his spot then they should take that spot.”
There was the slight chance that Essendon could have yet played another game in Melbourne if they snuck back into the top eight.
But with their 39-point loss to the Swans, the Bombers’ fall from top-four contenders in Round 17 to bottom-10 certainties in Round 23 was complete.
Essendon are now certain to miss finals and will play their final game of the year next week in Brisbane.
“They were playing for a spot in the eight, so you’re playing your best team, they didn’t see Heppell in it. But a lot of people would be a little confused about that,” Brian Taylor said on Channel 7.
Matthew Richardson added: “Passionate Essendon fans probably wanted to see Dyson Heppell out there, but you’ve got to pick what your best 22 is when your season’s alive.”
But Luke Hodge said he wouldn’t be surprised to see Heppell back in the team next week.
“I’ve got no doubt, if his body’s OK, he’ll be playing next week,” Hodge said on Channel 7.
Sydney veteran Luke Parker paid tribute to the Essendon great in his post-match interview with Abbey Holmes.
“I just wanted to give a quick shoutout to Dyson Heppell,” Parker said.
“He’s been an absolute champion of the Essendon Football Club for so long.
“I played with him when I was 16, 18. Incredible person, Dyso, well done on your career, mate. Incredible.”
Heppell has played 17 games this season and 252 in his 14-year career.
Instead of helping Essendon in the defensive-50, he was given a farewell to his home supporters before the game.
Meantime, Sydney have all but clinched the minor premiership after humbling Essendon.
After a scrappy first half, the Swans found form by slamming through six goals to one in the third quarter, turning a seven-point deficit into a 21-point lead by the final break.
Sydney powered to a 15.8 (98) to 8.11 (59) win — their second-straight victory after losing five of their previous six matches before beating Collingwood last Friday night — on the back of kicking 12 goals to four after halftime.
Essendon’s night was summed up by spearhead Jake Stringer spraying an easy set shot after the three-quarter time siren that would have given them confidence heading into the final quarter.
Just as he did late against the Magpies, star midfielder Isaac Heeney stepped up with a brilliant second-half to lift the Swans.
Heeney had just five possessions at halftime, but fired in the third quarter with 12 touches and a goal.
Despite being ineligible for the Brownlow Medal due to suspension, Heeney will likely poll another three votes after finishing with 22 disposals and three goals.
Resurgent former captain Luke Parker played a crucial role up forward with three goals, while current skipper Callum Mills was vital down back in his best outing since returning from injury five weeks ago.
Sydney (16-6) will finish on top of the ladder for the first time since 2016 unless they lose against Adelaide next week, and Port Adelaide, GWS or Geelong win their remaining two games, as well as making up a sizeable percentage gap.
The Bombers haven’t played finals since 2021, and their last post-season win came back in 2004.
It is a painful end to what had again loomed as a promising season.
Essendon dominated the first-half, having 37 inside-50s to Sydney’s 18 in the first-half, but could only manage 4.5 for all their hard-work and left the Swans in the contest.
The Bombers returned to Marvel Stadium six days after Gold Coast’s Mac Andrew kicked a goal after the siren to sink them and leave their finals hopes out of their own hands.
Nic Martin was comfortably the Bombers’ best player, kicking three goals — including the first two of the match — and had a game-high 32 possessions.
– With AAP
