Dyson Heppell

Drafted from the Gippsland Power with pick 8 in the 2010 National Draft, Dyson Heppell made an immediate impression at Essendon with his composure and distinctive dreadlocks. He burst onto the scene as a polished half-back flanker, winning the 2011 Rising Star award to signal his arrival as a future centrepiece of the Bombers' lineup. He eventually transitioned into the midfield where he became a prolific ball-winner, culminating in an All-Australian selection and a Crichton Medal in 2014. However, his trajectory was halted when he served a season-long suspension in 2016 as part of the fallout from the club's supplements saga.

Upon his return, Heppell assumed the captaincy in 2017, shouldering the significant burden of leading the club as it sought to rebuild its culture and on-field performance. His tenure as skipper was defined by resilience and selflessness, often playing through injury and sacrificing his own offensive output for the benefit of the team structure. In his final seasons, he returned to a defensive role to mentor the club's developing backline before handing the leadership reins to Zach Merrett in 2023. Heppell retired at the conclusion of the 2024 season, remembered as a loyal one-club player who provided vital stability during one of the most difficult periods in Essendon's history.