Essendon VFL skipper Aaron Heppell says he is excited by what the playing group is building after recording its sixth straight win on Saturday.
The VFL Dons stormed home against North Melbourne with five unanswered goals to seal a 50-point victory at Windy Hill, before facing their final bye of the season this weekend.
“There’s a really good feeling amongst the group and we’re really rapt with the win,” Heppell said post-match.
“North Melbourne is a quality outfit – it beat Richmond pretty convincingly a few weeks ago. There were a few strong performances from our boys and overall a real team performance which was great.”
Essendon led at every break during the match, holding North Melbourne goalless in the first and last quarters.
Heppell was a key part in doing so, leading by example with 22 touches, seven tackles and six clearances.
As always, the skipper was physical and aggressive at each contest, but credited his teammates for their efforts.
“I guess I was just trying to do the team thing. We’ve got a good group of mids who are really contested, and a handful of guys who could easily play AFL footy each week and are really strong VFL players,” he said.
“Even our VFL-listed guys coming up, we’ve had over 15 guys play this year who have all come in and played their role and have been really fantastic and that’s all we ask.”
Heppell applauded AFL mid-season draftee Will Snelling for the way he has fit into the side nearly seamlessly.
“(Adding Snelling) in the inside too has been really fantastic, so we’re really gelling together now and it’s exciting what we’re building.”
Will Snelling is excelling for the VFL Bombers. (Photo: Ben Johnstone)
He was also proud of the way his side handled the varying playing conditions, which included four seasons in one day.
“It was typical Melbourne weather – we copped hail, shine, wind, everything.
“I guess that’s just part of (playing) footy in winter in Melbourne, you have to adapt to all of it and I thought the boys did really well.”
After braving the chill on Saturday, Heppell plans to keep warm over the upcoming bye weekend.
“I think I’ll head back home down to Gippsland, put the feet up in front of the fire and take it pretty easy. I’m looking forward to it.”
After the bye, Essendon VFL will take on standalone club Williamstown at Downer Oval on Saturday, July 27 from 2pm.
Brooke Varney is in the final year of her Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree at RMIT University. As part of their strategic partnership, Essendon Football Club and RMIT University are committed to providing opportunities for students, staff, players and the wider community.
