If Essendon players need an example of someone stepping up, they need look no further than Dyson Heppell.

That’s the view of the club’s General Manager of Football Performance, Neil Craig.

“Dyson played a pretty good game and a tough game of footy,” he told SEN.

“But it was more the way he stepped up in terms of the leadership aspect of the game.” 

Heppell had 32 possessions against St Kilda and kicked two goals.

In just his fourth season, there will extra pressure on the 23 year old to continue his good form in the absence of Jobe Watson.

“Jobe not being there, we need more people to step up and accept some responsibility,” Craig said.

“Not only on-field leadership but also the preparation leading up to games is really important as well.” 

Watson has been ruled out for the remainder of the year with a shoulder injury.

“We’ll certainly miss him – both his playing ability, he’s been a very powerful leader for a long period of time but he’s no longer there for the rest of the year so I tend to look for the opportunities for people to develop,” Craig said.