Milestone man Heppell keeping calm on Essendon’s credentials as he ponders 15th season

Dyson Heppell is well aware that Essendon has plenty of work to do despite a promising season to date.

The former Bombers captain, who plays his 250th game against Geelong this weekend, expected Brad Scott’s side to be decent in 2024 but admits their current position of third is somewhat of a surprise.

Heppell believes the Dons have put themselves in a very strong position from which to launch as they strive to break their pesky finals win drought which dates back to 2004.

“It’s awesome to be in this type of position,” he said on SEN Breakfast.

“We’ve given ourselves a real opportunity. We knew we’d built a healthy platform off the back of last year.

“I thought we’d be around the mark but to be sitting third at this stage of the year is outstanding. Obviously there is a lot of footy to go and it’s crazy how tight the competition is. You’ve got to show up each and every week.

“It’s an exciting platform to build off.”

At the age of 32, Heppell is playing some quality footy in defence where he is averaging 20 touches.

He credits coach Scott with showing faith in him when many were expecting his career would wrap up just over 12 months ago.

“He just extended his enormous show of support towards me and just having his backing meant a hell of a lot,” he said of Scott.

“It really empowered me to still try and play the best footy of my career.

“It instilled a lot of belief to freed myself up and it encouraged me that I’ve got plenty of footy left in the tank.”

Heppell says he is yet to make a decision on whether or not he goes around again in 2025 for a 15th season as he continues to get by on one-year deals.

“I’m doing little one-by-ones at the moment,” he said of his contracts.

“We’ll weigh things up as we go towards the back end of this year to see if we roll on again.

“But no calls made yet.”

Dyson says the Heppell family were “mad Cats fans” which makes his milestone match against Geelong at the MCG on Saturday night that little bit more special.

He becomes the 15th Bomber to reach 250 games.