Essendon veteran Dyson Heppell has announced his retirement after a 14-year, 250-game career. The former Bombers skipper, 32, has been an All-Australian, Rising Star and Essendon best-and-fairest winner and will hang up the boots at the end of the season. Dyson Heppell celebrated his 250th game earlier this year.
Credit: Getty Images “I’ve been wrestling with the decision for a number of weeks and it’s a decision that certainly hasn’t come lightly or been an easy one but one that I’m super content with,” Heppell said. “In my own mind I always wanted to call it a day while I was still playing decent footy and that if it got to a point where we’ve got other boys primed and ready to play my role then I know it’s time. No doubt there’s a little competitive dog part of me that’s in my ear telling me to go one more but after considering all possibilities and having the opportunity to go out on my own terms it just feels like the right call.
“Once it’s all said and done if I’ve managed to have a positive impact on my teammates, coaches, staff and the broader club and hopefully I’ve inspired some little tackers to chase their dreams along the way then I say a job well done and if that’s my success, I’ll take it. “The beauty about this game and this club is that it provides opportunities to meet some incredible people that I’ve fostered great friendships with over the years. There’s too many to name but I will get to you all in time to say a mas.