AFL 2024: Dyson Heppell could play farewell game against Brisbane
An Essendon great has criticised the decision not to play Dyson Heppell in front of a home crowd and singled out several underperforming Bombers.
AFL
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Essendon great Matthew Lloyd says the Bombers have “lost so much respect” since his playing days as he called for “stability” following a likely end to their season against Sydney.
Lloyd criticised the club’s decision to deny retiring champion Dyson Heppell a farewell game as only 33,830 fans arrived at a “fully ticketed” Marvel Stadium clash despite the Bombers’ finals hopes remaining alive.
Heppell embraced fans on the boundary line near the players’ race and acknowledged the crowd in a pre-game tribute but missed selection in what coach Brad Scott said was “our best team” with a top-eight spot up for grabs.
Scott said Heppell would “potentially” be picked for a final game at the Gabba, with Sunday’s clashes featuring Hawthorn, Carlton and Western Bulldogs to determine whether next week’s Brisbane game is a dead-rubber.
Lloyd said most Essendon fans would have wanted Heppell to play a final home game and did not believe the 32-year-old would have “hindered” their performance on the field.
“I think the majority would say that they would have loved to have seen Dyson play tonight, for all that he’s given to the club, and through all the tough times that he’s always been there and stood so strong for his club,” Lloyd told 3AW.
“I personally would’ve loved to have seen it, for him, his family, his friends, potentially even a lift for the group, I would’ve loved to have seen it.”
Lloyd questioned the development of several first-choice Bombers players including Harry Jones and Archie Perkins as he said teammates were not holding each other to high enough standards.
“I’ve obviously got some fantastic friends still at the club, and it’s hard for me, because I walked into the club, and it was just so powerful, and demanding of each other, it was such a proud club, whereas now it’s so far from that and has lost so much respect,” he said.
“You just wonder how you can get out of it, and as Brad Scott, every person comes, more go that just haven’t worked.
“The instability … all the good clubs like Sydney and Geelong, the stability has been unbelievable, whereas the Bombers just haven’t had that for so long.”
Scott said the failure to capitalise on a statistically dominant first-half in the 39-point defeat was a reflection of a season-long trend for the Bombers.
“Unfortunately, it’s been a bit of a trend in our season … (we’ve been good at) probably the hardest parts of the game in terms of giving yourself opportunity and creating opportunity in the contest,” he said.
“To be plus-20 most of the night in contested possessions, double inside 50s in the first half … it’s always got the feeling that if you don’t take your opportunities, they’re going to take theirs at some stage.
“As hard as we work on it, the players are incredibly frustrated at doing all the hard work and not having the ability to finish that work with our connection inside 50, and score and put a gap on the opposition.”
Scott said Peter Wright was still an important part of his plans but did not blame the forward personnel he picked for managing only four goals from 37 inside 50s in the first half.
“I think it’s unfair just to say it’s personnel … you haphazardly kick it in and hope someone marks it – there are multiple ways to score,” Scott said.
“If you contrast it with a lot of the ways Sydney scored: some long range set shots, built the ball up (the field), kicked accurately … but it’s not a one-off for us.
“Unfortunately, it’s not sitting here saying it was just this week that was an issue – it’s been an issue for too long, so it’s a clear focus area for us to get right.”
Originally published as AFL 2024: Dyson Heppell could play farewell game against Brisbane
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