Essendon coach Brad Scott is facing criticism from the AFL community after not including club legend Dyson Heppell in the lineup for his farewell game at home against the Swans at Marvel Stadium on Friday night. Sydney effectively secured the minor premiership with a dominant second-half performance, leading to a 15.8 (98) to 8.11 (59) victory that ended Essendon’s finals aspirations. However, it was the decision to omit the retiring Bombers great Heppell that sparked anger among many fans.
The former club captain announced earlier in the week that he would retire after a career spanning over 250 games with Essendon since his AFL debut in 2011. Supporters had hoped to see Heppell take the field one last time at home, but Scott chose not to include the veteran in his final lineup on Friday night.
Heppell was seen in the stands, embracing family members and friends as fans paid their respects to the one-club player. However, Scott’s decision to deny the 32-year-old a final farewell game in front of the home crowd left many supporters disillusioned with Friday night’s events. The Essendon coach was visibly displeased when a reporter questioned his decision to leave Heppell out after the game.
“We’ve had discussions for four to six weeks; he is as strong as I am on this,” Scott explained. “We were still in contention, and we picked our best team. That’s what we did, and that’s what everyone would expect us to do.” Scott hinted that Heppell might “potentially” play in next week’s final game of the regular season away to the Brisbane Lions, before abruptly ending the press conference on the sensitive topic.
“A frosty Brad Scott there based on the Dyson Heppell question,” Hawthorn great Ben Dixon remarked on Fox Footy afterward. “When he was asked the question, you could see the piercing look in his eyes, as if to say, ‘what, I should have picked him tonight, should I?’”
Brad Scott cops backlash over Dyson Heppell snub
Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd expressed his disappointment at seeing Dyson Heppell denied a farewell game at home. “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 shared with 3AW.
AFL greats Kane Cornes and David King echoed this sentiment, agreeing that Scott should have granted Heppell a proper home farewell in recognition of his long service to the club. Cornes called the decision not to select Heppell “madness,” while King highlighted Heppell’s leadership and the impact he’s had on the club and its supporters.
“Everyone talks about how good a leader he has been and what a great teammate. 250 games, All-Australian, best and fairest. And they had the chance, and they bring in Sam Weideman?” King questioned. “I just think, why not give this guy one more on the way out? Give the fans in the Melbourne home base a chance to go and say thank you to Dyson.”
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