Essendon VFL Vice-Captain Aaron Heppell has made a promising return from injury and Performance Coach Mark Corrigan says he’ll only get better over the coming weeks.

The reigning best and fairest winner missed the opening six games of the season after undergoing knee surgery late in the pre-season.

He returned for the Bombers against Richmond on Saturday and picked up ten possessions and laid five tackles in modified game time.

“We didn’t have too big expectations on Hep coming back, obviously he’s had a bit of a lay off but I thought he did a couple of really nice things,” Corrigan said.

“To be honest he still looked like he still had some touch so we expect he’ll only get better with more continuity and more game time.

“We were quite pleased and happy that he got through, that’s the main thing.”

Essendon went down by 17 points in a highly contested game with Kobe Mutch and Aaron Francis both helped off the field after heavy tackles.

“Mutch was almost right to come back on so I think he’s just got a bit of a corky. We expect that he’ll pull up okay from that and get through the week,” Performance Coach Mark Corrigan said.

“Francis got a little bit of a knock, a bit of a corky but he was able to return to the field. We expect that he’ll be fine and be right to play next week.”

Although the result was disappointing for the Dons, there were some strong individual performances.

Essendon rookie listed player Sam Draper was dominant in the ruck. The 203cm 18 year old controlled majority of the hit outs against the Tigers.

“He’s developing really quickly, he’s a long term prospect for us, having not played much footy,” Corrigan said.

“His last two weeks have been super, to the extent where he is sort of taking on the number one ruckman and acquitting himself really well.

“It’s really pleasing to see. He obviously still has a lot to learn but always gives a really honest effort.”

Ben Howlett was the major ball winner, finishing with 36 disposals and two goals.

“’Bobcat’ has been playing a little bit of forward/midfield and we chose to push him more on ball because we thought it was a greater impact for us,” Corrigan said.

“He was probably one of the few that played consistent four quarters and single handily got us there but unfortunately didn’t have enough teammates.”

The Dons backline was without key defender James Ferry, who was selected to play in the state game.

“When you lose some of your top quality players, obviously they are hard to replace,” Corrigan said.

“At the same time when we turn the ball over like we did, doesn’t matter how good your backline is they are going to be put under the pump.

“We have to be better using the ball and help out the backs and not put them under so much pressure with the all coming back in.”

The Bombers had their opportunities winning their share of the inside 50s, clearances and ground balls, but it only translated to ten goals and 14 behinds.

“From that aspect it’s a positive, if we had used the ball better and kicked goals, converting going inside 50 then we put ourselves in a position to win the game,” Corrigan said.

 “We weren’t able to get too many good shots on goal. Good shots on goal obviously help with your accuracy.

“It’s about how we are entering the ball inside 50, not being able to mark the ball means you’re under more pressure when you’re kicking on goal.

“There is plenty to work on. It’s something that cost us in previous weeks and it’s something we need to keep working at.”