Brad Scott says Essendon owes Dyson Heppell for fallout of supplements saga

As selection pressure mounts on Essendon veteran Dyson Heppell, coach Brad Scott says the club owes its former captain for the turmoil he faced during its infamous supplements saga.

Essendon coach Brad Scott has lauded veteran Dyson Heppell for carrying the club through its darkest chapter, saying the Bombers owe him a “debt of gratitude”.

Heppell, 31, looms as a line-ball selection decision throughout the season for the Bombers as the club looks to develop its batch of prized young draft picks in 2024.

Scott said Heppell, who played every game for the club last year, had probably not received the recognition he deserved for leading the Bombers through the supplement saga without any lingering resentment.

Brad Scott says the Bombers owe former skipper Dyson Heppell a debt of gratitude. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Since he was drafted in 2010, Scott said Heppell’s career – from a club perspective – had largely been “nothing but turmoil”.

“It was really one thing after another for him,” Scott said.

“And while we are all trying to move past the supplement saga a decade ago, he effectively had to be the face and carry the club through that period. He has been unbelievable for this football club, and unheralded and underrated for what he has done through difficult times.

“His value to us on the field, but mostly off the field can’t be understated.”

Heppell extended his contract at Tullamarine in 2022 in the face of significant interest from Gold Coast and inked another one-year contract last season.

He did not play in the Bombers’ pre-season loss to Geelong due to a family commitment, but is pressing to play against the Hawks on Saturday at the MCG.

Dyson Heppell is pushing to be part of Essendon’s round 1 team. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Scott said Heppell’s leadership and attitude through incredibly difficult circumstances had been first-class.

The former captain signed a five-year deal at the height of the drugs crisis in 2015 and refused to meet with rival clubs who were interested in his services at the time.

Scott said he showed remarkable resilience and continued to lead the way for Essendon’s youngsters.

“In the face of everything that was going on, there is a young guy, soon to be captain, who (had to deal with it) for the bulk of his whole career,” Scott said.

“But he has still got an attitude of ‘yep, I’ve just got to deal with whatever comes’.

“(He says) ‘I don’t feel sorry for myself and I don’t get too far into the future with what is going to happen and I don’t dwell on poor me’.

“He is a great role model for our players so his importance to the Essendon Football Club and his legacy is enormous.”

Heppell would provide some experience in a young backline likely to feature Zach Reid, new Bomber Ben McKay and Nic Martin, who has shifted from the wing to defence.

Originally published as Brad Scott says Essendon owes Dyson Heppell for fallout of supplements saga