North Melbourne champion David King has hailed the leadership of Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell following the Bombers’ stirring win over Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night.
Heppell’s leadership has been called into question this season, especially during the club’s turbulent period where they lost four straight games.
But the 26-year-old led his side with aplomb against the Giants at Spotless Stadium, collecting 28 disposals and extracting 12 clearances as he continually won the ball at the source when the match was in the balance.
“If you’re going to watch that last quarter – watch Dyson Heppell at every centre bounce,” King told SEN’s Whateley.
“This meant everything to him – it absolutely meant the world.
“This is one man trying to throw a football club on his back and say: ‘I’m going to get us over the line. We’re not losing on my watch.’
“I’m just wrapped with his leadership. He spoke completely honestly two weeks ago when the club was on its knees.
“He’s been the one who’s said: ‘We aren’t carrying the can here.’ The leaders - where are we? What are we doing?
“If he said that to the younger players I’ve got no doubt he would have went to David Zaharakis, Zach Merrett and Brendon Goddard and said: 'it’s on us.'
“The way they’re playing, it’s got a spirit.
“They’ve got a tough draw; in two of the next three weeks they’re probably not going to go in as favourites.
“If they want to compete in finals this year they’ve got to find a way. And Dyson Heppell showed Callan Ward what the difference is; this is the difference between 2018 finals.”
Essendon will look to make it three in a row when they take on Richmond in the annual Dreamtime at the 'G match at the MCG on Saturday night.
Listen to David King's chat with Gerard Whateley in the player below