Dyson Heppell is quite simply a star.  

The 23-year-old relished in the added responsibility he was given after taking over from Jobe Watson as the interim captain.

Heppell showcased great class and leadership qualities, repaying the faith that the coaching staff put in him when they handed him the captaincy.

With the experience of Myers, Watson and Hocking all missing from the midfield for the majority of the season, Heppell would have to deal with the added attention from opposition players. 

However, the added attention only fed the midfielder’s natural competitive nature, as he fought gallantly to average 25 disposals a game, collecting 107 clearances and 38 centre clearances for the season, the most of any Bomber this year.

“Dyson stepped up to the plate this year when we needed him the most,” said Assistant Coach Mark Harvey 

“He took the added attention from opposition players in his stride and worked hard to continue to have an impact on the field.”

Heppell’s work on game day was perhaps only shadowed by his work around the Club.

A member of the leadership group, Heppell was always willing to share his knowledge and time with his teammates in an effort to help them build their own skills. 

In particular Heppell’s work with teammate Zach Merrett was well documented.

Merrett praised the influence of Heppell at the 2015 Crichton Medal, where the young midfielder picked up both the ‘Club’s Rising Star’ and ‘Most Improved’ awards.

Heppell was also a top performer at the 2015 Crichton Medal.

Aside from receiving the ‘Best Clubman’ for the fourth year in a row and ‘Best Team Player’ awards, the 2014 best and fairest would finish third in the overall count with a respectable 360 votes. 

Heppell shows leadership and maturity well beyond the 100 games that he has played, clearly demonstrating why he is so highly respected at the Club.

“He shows an enormous amount of courage and hates to lose which are great attributes,” said Harvey

 “He’ll be captain one day.”