“Madness”: Essendon's call not to give Dyson Heppell a farewell game in Melbourne slammed

Kane Cornes and David King are both stunned that Essendon hasn’t named Dyson Heppell for tonight’s clash with Sydney, allowing the former club captain to say farewell in front of the club’s fans.

Heppell announced his retirement during the week, but was omitted from the side for Round 21.

The Dons have not recalled the defender for the Swans match, instead bringing in journeyman forward Sam Weideman.

Speaking on SEN Breakfast, King was especially confused by the Bombers’ call to not farewell a club great.

King: “I just feel that Essendon should have given Dyson Heppell a send-off game in Melbourne.”

Cornes: “100 per cent they should. That is madness.”

King: “Everyone talks about how good a leader he has been and what a great teammate. 250 games, All-Australian, best and fairest. ‘When we needed him to be there, he was there for us’. And they had the chance and they bring in Sam Weideman?”

“I just think, why not give this guy one more on the way out? Give the fans in the Melbourne home base a chance to go and say thank you to Dyson.

“He may not have wanted it by the way. I’m talking out of school a little bit.”

Cornes: “I’d be surprised if he couldn’t have been convinced to have had that.”

SEN host and Essendon fan Adam White is equally frustrated by the call.

“If anyone deserved a farewell game, it was Dyson Heppell. Not in Brisbane next week, but in front of Essendon fans tonight,” White told *SEN’s Captain’s Run.

“Not just because of the things he has achieved, but also the loyalty he has shown the club.

“Many times he could have gone elsewhere, particularly given what he endured during the supplement saga. At the peak of his powers he had to sit out for a year.

“He stayed loyal and he deserves an appropriate farewell. It’s a missed chance for Essendon fans to say thank you for 250 games in the sash, for his loyalty, for his authenticity and for his care for the football club.

“I can’t have it that Dyson is playing that poorly and the team is playing that well that he can’t play tonight, even if they think their season is still alive.”