VFL 2019: Leadership double as Aaron Heppell joins brother Dyson as an Essendon skipper
Essendon will have brothers in charge of its AFL and VFL teams this year after Dyson Heppell’s younger brother Aaron was unveiled as the club’s new state league skipper.
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FROM backyard battles in Leongatha to leading Essendon into battle.
The Bombers will have brothers in charge of their AFL and VFL teams this year after Aaron Heppell was unveiled as the club’s new state league skipper.
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Aaron’s older brother Dyson has been Essendon’s AFL captain since 2017, when he replaced Brendon Goddard in the top job.
“We lived together for the last three years, so when I lived with him I was able to watch how he goes about building relationships with people from around the club and players,” Aaron said.
“We still catch up every two weeks for a coffee, sit down and talk about football and life, relationships and everything that goes with it.
“He’s supported me a lot in that way.”
Aaron has been one of the VFL’s most consistent players in recent seasons, claiming Essendon’s state league best and fairest in 2016 and 2018.
The 24-year-old has been elected to spearhead a VFL leadership group which includes vice-captains Heath Hocking and Danny Younan and recent signings Kurt Aylett (Werribee) and Liam McKenna (South Bunbury).
Aaron said the relationships he shared with players and staff would be a key pillar of his leadership due to the transient nature of AFL-aligned clubs.
“We could have a 200-game AFL player come back and a first-game VFL player who is 18 years old and has come out of the TAC Cup,” he said.
“We are kind of juggling the really raw young talent and also the experienced older guys coming back through the VFL.
“There’s a fair bit to manage and build those relationships with all the experience levels and types of players.”
Essendon's AFL and VFL captains for 2019 at the draft in 2010... @DysonHeppell @aaronheppell_ pic.twitter.com/OMWhVRBYHJ
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) February 28, 2019
Essendon progressed to a preliminary final last season, bowing out after an eight-point loss to Casey Demons.
Heppell is optimistic the club has assembled a VFL list which will complement its AFL talent as it targets further success under coach Dan Jordan.
“With a strong AFL list, that has that flow-down effect and helps us out to be a strong VFL side,” he said.
“But then also we have picked up some pretty handy state league players.”
The Bombers’ VFL signings for 2019 include former Bendigo Pioneers captain Jacob Atley, ex-St Kilda forward Ray Connellan, ex-GWS and Essendon player Aylett and on-baller McKenna.
Essendon starts its 2019 campaign against Frankston on Sunday, April 7.
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