Essendon captain Dyson Heppell has capped off his terrific season with a top-10 finish in the 2018 Shadforth Financial Group AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year Award.
Heppell – who is a live chance for a second Crichton Medal – has been a shining light in 2018, averaging 27 disposals, six marks, five clearances and four inside-50s.
The skipper polled in 13 matches to receive a total of 68 votes, with his best performance coming in round 17 against Gold Coast where he received a maximum 10 votes after gathering 37 disposals, seven marks, seven tackles, seven inside-50s and two goal assists.
A six-vote performance in the final round secured the high finish as the Bombers polled well after the impressive 22-point victory over Port Adelaide.
RD 23 - PORT ADELAIDE v ESSENDON
6 Dyson Heppell
6 Mitch Brown
5 Devon Smith
4 Justin Westhoff (PORT)
4 Kyle Langford
4 Aaron Francis
1 David Zaharakis
FINAL LEADERBOARD
97 Max Gawn (MELB)
91 Patrick Cripps (CARL)
88 Tom Mitchell (HAW)
82 Brodie Grundy (COLL)
72 Dayne Beams (BL)
72 Jack Macrae (WB)
72 Clayton Oliver (MELB)
70 Dustin Martin (RICH)
70 Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
68 Dyson Heppell
