Footage has emerged of Dyson Heppell’s shock at being handed the substitute vest in Essendon’s Round 2 win as the club’s management of their former captain comes under question.
Heppell was subbed off in the third quarter of the Bombers’ eventual 28-point win over Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon, finishing with 14 disposals and seven marks.
But the 30-year-old appeared to be surprised when taken off for Matt Guelfi and the decision was conveyed by an Essendon bench staffer.
It was the first time Heppell has ever been subbed off.
Watch Heppell’s reaction below
"It was a big call."
Kane Cornes and Matthew Lloyd laud Brad Scott's decisions at Essendon so far – including the difficult call to sub Dyson Heppell. #9FootyClassified | @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/WlGQlIUwMq
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) March 27, 2023
Kane Cornes believes he’s one of a number of veterans not at their best early in 2023.
“There’s a couple of veterans in trouble. I’ve mentioned my concerns about Trent Cotchin… but Dyson Heppell and Rory Sloane are in a bit of trouble,” Cornes told SEN’s Sportsday.
“Heppell was subbed out, his ball use was poor, he was clearly upset to be subbed out… I think it was the right call though.”
Adelaide’s Sloane finished with 16 touches rotating through the midfield against Richmond, while Cornes has previously spoken about his concerns with Cotchin’s new role.
.@kanecornes reckons Rory Sloane and Dyson Heppell's form for their respective sides is a worry.
Full R2 roundtable discussion: https://t.co/YauQqySaix pic.twitter.com/eLQpFUOGW4
— Sportsday (@SENSportsday) March 27, 2023
While Hawthorn great Luke Hodge has no problems with the decision to sub Heppell out of the game, he criticised the “harsh” manner in which the process played out.
“You’ve got to feel for a player who gets thrown the bib without being told,” Hodge stated.
“There should have been a coach on the bench to say, ‘hey mate, we’re looking to do this for the side, we’ve got a short break, we might bring you off and put on the young fella for a bit of run’.
“You explain that to a senior player and he would say, ‘yeah, no problems’.
“I know Heppell would take it like that. When you just get thrown the bib by a trainer, you’re like, ‘hang on, where’s the communication’?
“I feel for that, I feel (it was a) little bit harsh.”
Heppell knocked back interest from the Suns late last year to sign a one-year contract extension with the club he's played 215 games for. He relinquished the captaincy over the pre-season, with Zach Merrett leading Essendon into the next era.
Guelfi had an instant impact for the Dons on Sunday, booting two goals from six touches as Brad Scott’s side recorded their second straight win.
