Dyson Heppell, Marc Murphy among the AFL greats to feature in Kabaddi clash against Indian stars

Dyson Heppell thought he was about to have a relaxing summer after retirement, that was until Campbell Brown came calling. Now, he and a host of AFL greats are set to play India’s top contact sport.

AFL greats come together for a new venture. Picture: Kabaddi Melbourne Raiders/Instagram

Dyson Heppell was set for his most relaxed summer in 14 years until Campbell Brown’s name popped up on his phone.

Instead of relaxing into his first off-season since closing his 253-game career, the Essendon great has found himself training with a bunch of ex-footballers learning a sport he had only seen a couple of times.

And Heppell’s introduction to the Indian sport of kabaddi has seen him sent straight back to the physio.

“I have spent more time on the massage table than most blokes,” he said.

“And with a couple of niggles in the body, I have been full noise at only a few of the sessions but I am trying to catch up.”

The fact a masseuse has been required indicates how seriously the Aussie Raiders team is taking its preparation to play against stars from the India Pro Kabaddi League on December 28 at John Cain Arena.

Brown will coach the team, with Sydney champion Josh Kennedy his skipper.

Dan Hannebery, Marc Murphy, Brett Deledio, Michael Hibberd, Liam Shiels and Trent McKenzie were all recruited, before Billy Gowers broke his way into the team at training.

Former Channel 7 head of sport Lewis Martin has jumped on board as Raiders general manager.

Heppell had seen kabaddi before during a trip to India so he at least knew some of what he was getting into when Brown rang.

“Campbell was on the phone and then a couple of other boys that he mentioned, I touched base with them and they were keen to have a dig,” he said.

“All of us thought, why not, we will commit together and give it a crack.

“The vibe around training has been awesome and we have got a lot of respect towards the game and learning the rules and have a lot of appreciation for actually how good they (Indian players) are.”

Players in action. Picture: Melbourne Kabaddi Raid/Instagram

Heppell described kabaddi as “a mixbag between tag and British Bulldog that we used to play as kids” and the physical game is billed as India’s most popular contact sport.

In fact, given the clash will be aired in India on the Star network that carries cricket, a team of AFL players that almost all played in huge MCG finals may play in front of their biggest audience ever in retirement.

There is some hope the game will be a big enough hit to warrant a return fixture in India.

With hopes of a big crowd at John Cain Arena and watching on TV, the Raiders quickly took training seriously.

“Everyone that is doing this, we are a bunch of competitive buggers,” Heppell said.

“As soon as we come in and a training session turns into match play, it soon turns into everyone going full noise and having a proper crack. The boys are absolutely taking it seriously.

“It is more so from a real respect point of view from the Indian professional teams that are out here, we thought if we can get a great understanding of the game and give it our best crack it will be great for the city of Melbourne and for the people who are able to come and watch and the Indian community as well.”

Former Richmond and GWS star Brett Deledio. Picture: Kabaddi Melbourne Raid/Instagram

Former Carlton skipper Marc Murphy. Picture: Kabbadi Melbourne Raid/Instagram

Heppell rated the work ex-Dee and Don Hibberd and former Sun and Power defender McKenzie at training so far, while Kennedy went on what was termed a “scouting trip” to India to prepare for the match.

The former Bombers captain has the sport on his mind so much that he has been muttering it as he drives around.

“The rule that keeps getting me, it is a bit of a rogue one but when you are the raider on attack you actually have to say the word ‘kabaddi’ out loud as you are going,” he said.

“Every few seconds you have to say ‘kabaddi, kabaddi, kabaddi’ and if you don’t it is a point against you and you are out. It is a bit of a random one but they are the little bits we need to train and get used to, I have been driving around the streets a bit and saying that as you go to try and drum it in.”

Since cleaning out his Essendon locker, Heppell joined Port Melbourne as a playing assistant coach so was never going to completely let go of his fitness rope but he has stayed in sharp shape thanks to his new sport.

But he will get a chance to take in Christmas properly without any fear of skinfold tests.

“I think I will enjoy this Christmas more than any other year since I got drafted so I will have a nudge on Chrissy day but when we are locking into game day on the 28th,” he said.

Originally published as Dyson Heppell, Marc Murphy among the AFL greats to feature in Kabaddi clash against Indian stars