Fit Heppell eyes Bombers improvement
Fit and firing in the pre-season for the first time in years, Essendon captain Dyson Heppel is determined to lead the charge as the Bombers attempt to pull out of last season's disappointing AFL Finals.
The Bombers proved to be one of the most exciting teams in 2021, winning their last three regular-season games on a bounce, making it to the finals, but crashing in their elimination finals against the Western Bulldogs.
"Really enjoyed the season and felt like we had made some great inroads, but it was quite disappointing to bow down like this," Heppel told reporters on Monday.
'There's a lot of hunger and drive coming from behind him and there's more to try, for sure.
"(There are needed areas of improvement) across the board in terms of the way we play.
"I thought we got some consistency in the way we defended the ground and found a good balance in our attacks.
"It's just taking them to another level and we're preparing ourselves to play the best footy possible."
After a leg injury, after multiple injury blows that ruined his 2020, Heppel made a comeback from a limited pre-season and made 2021 strong at half-back and was primed for this season.
"It's been a while since I've been cracking in pre-Christmas and had a good break and was able to train very well to get back there," he said.
"Except for COVID, we've got the majority of the list healthy and training properly, so that's good."
Anthony McDonald-Tipungvuti missed the last three games of 2021 for personal reasons and managed a tight calf before Christmas, but Heppel had "no doubt" that the forward could be back at his best.
"She's a star, Vala," he said.
"Keep his body healthy - we're supporting him as much as we can to get him in good shape - and I can't wait to play with him again soon."
Veteran defender Michael Hurley, who missed all of 2021 amid complications from a hip infection, is making slow progress.
Heppel said the "heart and soul" of Hurley had made great penetration over the past six weeks, but acknowledged that the first round would come "too soon" for the 31-year-old, who is not yet fully on track with his teammates. has come.
Meanwhile Heppel expected "ready-made" first-round draft pick Ben Hobbs, an inside midfielder, to make an early mark.
"I think you'll see a lot from him this year," he said.
"He'll bring out a nice grunt on the inside, but he also has footy smarts."
