Essendon coach Brad Scott says there is a “strong likelihood” Dyson Heppell could captain the Bombers for a seventh season, with the decision to be left to the veteran utility.
Scott said the club had reached the “pointy end” of its leadership process, with the 30-year-old Heppell still firmly in the running to lead the side again in 2023.
“We’ve said all along that Dyson Heppell is our captain, and that will remain up until we go through our process,” Scott said.
Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“I suspect there’s a strong likelihood that will still be the case.
“I’ll have a lot of ongoing discussions with Dyson, but we’ll finalise our process before we play the Gold Coast in some unofficial match sim and then we’ll be in a position to announce that.”
Scott said he had admired Heppell’s leadership and football ability from afar during his time as North Melbourne coach and at the AFL.
New captains timing ‘perfect’ at North | 02:13
“I couldn’t be more impressed with Dyson Heppell … he’s led this club through quite a challenging period in his career,” he said.
“If he wants to continue as captain, then I suspect that’s what will happen.”
Scott said Essendon would take “upwards of 35 players” to the Gold Coast for a scratch match against the Suns on February 23.
He ruled out injured trio Matt Guelfi (calf), Zach Reid (foot) and Nik Cox (back) but said the young key position duo were “progressing really well” in their recoveries.
Jake Stringer was moving pain-free and a certainty to play against Gold Coast, Scott said.
“He will be up on the Gold Coast, 100 per cent,” he said.
“Our focus with Jake has been first and foremost to get him injury free and to get him pain free … now he’s at the stage where he is pain free, our focus has been on building strength and power.”
Dockers on the hunt for a new skipper | 02:23
Scott said criticism of Stringer’s body shape and conditioning over the pre-season was unfair, with his training program tailored to focus on his most damaging attributes.
“For those who want him to be marathon runner or an elite transitional player, I don’t think that’s what Jake’s strength is … his strength is something very few players in the competition have got,” he said.
