Dyson Heppell is the man to continue on as Essendon captain.
That is the opinion of Daniel Menzel, who believes the Bombers should retain the veteran in the main leadership role.
Many are forecasting a change of captaincy at The Hangar now that new coach Brad Scott has taken charge, doubled with the fact Heppell pondered a move to Gold Coast this past trade period.
Scott was quizzed on the Dons’ captaincy earlier this week, saying they are in no hurry to make a decision.
“To be honest we haven’t even spoken much about it at this stage,” Scott told reporters.
“Our focus and certainly the focus of the coaching group has been to keep a really open mind about all aspects of our game and our team. That extends to the leadership group too.
“Dyson Heppell has made a fantastic start to pre-season. I’ve admired Dyson from afar for a long time but seeing him up close, I can see why he’s been such an important part of the Essendon fabric over a long period of time.
“He’ll have a key role to play for us next year, but in terms of finalising what that leadership structure looks like, I suspect it will take us the first couple of months of next year before we get to that stage.”
While admitting Scott’s response was non-committal, former Geelong forward Menzel has backed 30-year-old Heppell to continue as captain into a seventh season.
Menzel does not believe there are as many obvious candidates to take over at Essendon as perhaps Collingwood might have now that Scott Pendlebury has stepped down.
“Brad Scott is being a little bit coy and not putting too much out there in terms of what they’re going to do leadership wise,” he said on SEN’s Sportsday SA.
“It leaves the door open for Dyson who I think probably should stay on for another season as captain.
“I don’t think they have as many emerging leaders coming through as the Pies do. It probably reflects where they finished on the ladder last year as well.”
Do the Dons need to keep Heppell in the role for stability purposes?
“They’ve got a new coach coming in that will allow him to implement the game style, implement the culture he wants at the club,” Menzel added.
“He’s got Dyson there who is a very strong personality. Everyone who knows Dyson (knows) he’s a great human being and that’s who you want leading your footy club.
“If there’s no one standing up or putting their hand up that is as obvious, like there might be at Collingwood, then I would expect him to stay on.”
Heppell served as skipper in 2022, his sixth year in the job, with Zach Merrett his vice-captain and Andrew McGrath the deputy vice-captain.