This week what many Essendon and general football fans already knew was confirmed: Dyson Heppell is without a doubt the most exciting prospect at Windy Hill since a young James Hird rose to prominence in the early 1990s.
Heppell, 19, playing his first season of league football, has had a sensational season and today was rewarded with the Ron Evans Medal for the most promising Rising Star within the AFL.
Debuting in Round 1, Heppell played all 22 games for the Bombers in the home and away season, averaging almost 22 possessions per game and kicking three goals off the half-back flank.
Not only were his statistics impressive but his ability to win the contested ball, as well as his calmness and poise under pressure, has drawn immediate comparisons with Essendon’s last true champion and current coach, James Hird.
Heppell, who was taken at pick eight in the 2010 AFL Draft, was a bonus for the Bombers after being overlooked by other clubs due to past injury concerns. Those concerns proved to be unjustified, however, as the 19-year-old’s body has stood up well in his debut season.
Heppell’s season isn’t over yet though, and more honours await as he makes his finals debut this Sunday against Carlton at the MCG, in front of an estimated 90,000 screaming fans.
In addition to this, Heppell is one of the hot favourites to take out the W.S. Crichton Medal (Essendon’s Best and Fairest award) next month and would be the first debutant to do so since John Coleman.
After just one season of league football, Dyson Heppell has Bomber fans all over the world excited, and his potential is endless.
It’s only early days, however there’s no reason why Heppell couldn’t go on to become the club’s next captain, as well as achieving everything Hird did and then some.
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