18 Facts About Dyson Heppell

Dyson Heppell was born on 14 May 1992 and is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for and captained the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League.

Dyson Heppell served as Essendon captain from the 2017 season, and relinquished the captaincy before the 2023 season proper having led the side 107 times.

Dyson Heppell currently plays for the Port Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football League, following his retirement from the AFL.

Dyson Heppell began playing football with Leongatha Football Club, and played for Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Dyson Heppell finished strongly in the Morrish Medal count, which is awarded to the best and fairest player in the TAC Cup regular season, eventually tying for the award with Jackson Sketcher of the Sandringham Dragons, after achieving the maximum votes possible from rounds 13 to 17.

Dyson Heppell accumulated 36 disposals in an elimination final victory and was named best on ground in the preliminary final win to qualify for the TAC Cup Grand Final.

Dyson Heppell, who supported the Bombers as a child and had "idolised" Hird while growing up, said that getting drafted by Essendon was "like a dream".

Dyson Heppell received the first Rising Star nomination for 2011 after recording 20 possessions in his debut AFL match, against the Western Bulldogs in round 1.

Dyson Heppell won the medal, polling 44 of a possible 45 votes and became the first Essendon player to win the award.

Dyson Heppell described winning the award as "a dream come true".

Dyson Heppell continued his ascent as an emerging star by finishing third in the clubs best and fairest award count, Essendon's best and fairest award; his second consecutive top-three placing.

Dyson Heppell polled three Brownlow Medal votes for his 36-possession and two-goal effort against Melbourne in round 2 and was in the best players for the comeback win over Carlton in round 11.

Dyson Heppell continued his upward climb throughout the 2014 season, winning his maiden Crichton Medal, receiving his first selection in the All-Australian team, and polled 14 votes in the 2014 Brownlow Medal.

Dyson Heppell was suspended for two years which, with backdating, ended in November 2016; as a result, he served approximately fourteen months of his suspension and missed the entire 2016 AFL season.

In February 2017, Dyson Heppell was announced as Essendon's new captain, taking over from Brendon Goddard.

Dyson Heppell re-signed for 2023 but stepped down as captain after six seasons in the role.

On 13 August 2024, Dyson Heppell announced that he would retire at the conclusion of the 2024 AFL season.

Dyson Heppell played a farewell game in the Bombers' final game of the season, against the Brisbane Lions at The Gabba.