BRAD Scott is adamant Dyson Heppell still warrants a spot in Essendon's first-choice line-up, declaring the former captain an important part of his team's evolution.
Heppell, 30, will play against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday as the Bombers (2-1) seek to bounce back from their first loss of the season.
But his position has been questioned after a slow start to 2023, in which he has averaged 15 disposals across the opening three rounds.
"The value that Dyson brings is immeasurable - his leadership, his sense of calm when things aren't particularly going well - and with a young and inexperienced group, it's really important to have seniority around them," Bombers coach Scott told reporters on Friday.
"The positives that Dyson brings are really hard to see publicly. You certainly don't see them on the stats sheet.
"He's a really proud competitor and he's a really important person and player for us.
"He'll be in the team this week and I understand that there will be a focus on a lot of the more senior players in a lot of teams across the AFL, but what Dyson Heppell has done for this club over a 10-year-plus period has been absolutely critical.
"Right where we're at in terms of our evolution as a team, Dyson's a really important player for what we're doing."
Asked specifically about whether Heppell deserves a position in the Bombers' strongest line-up, Scott added: "We pick the team, not anyone else, so the best 22 is what we think."
Jake Stringer is another Bombers veteran under the spotlight, having made a quiet return from a hamstring injury in last week's loss to St Kilda.
The 28-year-old kicked one goal from eight disposals and helped curtail the early damage done by Saints defender Callum Wilkie.
Essendon would welcome greater impact from Stringer but Scott won't ask too much of the potential match-winner.
"We really struggled to bring the ball to ground inside our forward-50 at the start of the (St Kilda) game and Jake played that role for us and did it really well," Scott said.
"That's what we look at a lot more than just pure output on the stats sheet.
"He played the role that we're asking him to.
"We're not asking him to do any more or any less than just his role for the team."
Scott said ruckman Sam Draper and speedster Alwyn Davey jnr are set to play against GWS, having overcome minor injury concerns.
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher will return in defence if his sore ankle pulls up well from Friday's training session.
But McDonald-Tipungwuti must impress at VFL level before being considered for a recall.
The cult hero made a brief appearance as the substitute in round one but has since been sidelined after suffering quadriceps soreness.
