Essendon fans have savaged the club for their decision to not select retiring great Dyson Heppell for Friday night’s clash against Sydney.
Heppell announced earlier this week that he will retire at the end of the season after a brilliant 252-game career with the club that included six years at the club.
He had played 17 games this season but was dropped following the Round 20 loss to St Kilda.
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Many expected the 32-year-old to face the Swans on Friday night given that the Bombers are in Brisbane for their final game of the season and appear unlikely to play finals.
But there was surprise and outrage when the club named their team on Thursday night.
The Bombers made two changes, recalling Archie Perkins and Sam Weideman to replace Nik Cox (injured) and Alwyn Davey jnr (omitted).
Heppell wasn’t even among the three listed emergencies despite participating in the captain’s run on Thursday.
The club did however say he will be honoured pre-game.
Coach Brad Scott did flag earlier this week that he will likely pick a tall defender to replace Cox, but that didn’t stop fans blowing up at the decision.
“No Heppell. Absolutely heartless. Shame EFC shame… No respect,” one fan tweeted.
“Shocked and appalled. Not playing Heppell is disgraceful,” another added.
“Dyson Heppell deserved a home farewell game. Not just because of who he is and the sentimental aspect, but because he’s a far better selection this week than several players named. I just don’t get it,” a third said.
“I am so angry about the lack of respect for Hepp. Truly one of the few times I’ve been disgusted in the Club. This isn’t Essendon,” another said.
“No Heppell?!?!?! This absolutely sucks,” another added.
“Jeez. Club doesn’t actually respect Heppell. Would have been the least the club could do to give him a farewell game in Victoria,” another said.
“Are you kidding!? Why is there no Heppell farewell game. What an absolute disgrace!” another added.
While the majority of fans slammed the decision, there were a few who backed the call.
“No Heppell is surprising, but I’m glad the club just aren’t handing out farewell matches. Shows you need to be playing well and earn one,” one fan said.
“As unfortunate as it seems, I am ok with Hepps missing out. Selection and list integrity need be the main focus for the next couple of games and post/pre-season. You would hope that some of the usual suspects in this week’s team are also in the last chance saloon,” another said.
On Tuesday, Scott publicly said he will pick the best team and offered no guarantees for Heppell.
“Sydney generally plays three key forwards and a ruck, so we think we need to replace Coxy like-for-like,” Scott said.
“(Heppell) has been really clear that he’s fit, ready, available to help the team in the best way that he can, whether that’s on-field as a player or supporting those who are playing.
“He’ll keep training and preparing at an elite level like he always has, and he’ll be ready if we pick him in our best team. He’s really clear that we pick our best team to win these next two games.”
While Essendon are only two points outside the eight, they would likely need to beat both Sydney and Brisbane to have any chance of making the finals.
Missing the finals will cap a disastrous capitulation after they were sitting pretty in second spot following Round 12.
Since then they have won just three matches and lost to seven to tumble down the ladder.
Meanwhile, Kevin Sheedy will formally step down from the club board at the end of the season.
Sheedy joined the board in 2020, returning to the club in an official role after a 27-year coaching stint that delivered the club four premierships.
“The club is in excellent hands with president David Barham and the current board. Vice president Andrew Welsh is doing an excellent job, looking after the football aspects from a Board point of view. I was happy to step up and help when asked by Paul Brasher in 2020, and I have always done everything that I can to help this club. This will never stop,” Sheedy said.
“I am very confident under the leadership of CEO Craig Vozzo and senior coach Brad Scott, that we are on the road to success. We have returned to being a football club where our ultimate focus is on winning football games and making our members and supporters proud with everything we do.
“Essendon means so much to so many people and with the current stability and renewed focus at the football club, we have the right foundations for sustainable success.”