Dyson to step up

Essendon defender Dyson Heppell is looking to make an impact further up the ground. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON young gun Dyson Heppell says the backline has been perfect for his development, but it is time to move up the ground.

Heppell stormed on to the AFL scene in 2011, playing every game as he went on to win the NAB Rising Star award from West Coast's Luke Shuey.

He backed up that performance with a 20-game season in 2012, averaging 21.5 possessions, mainly across half-back.

Now the next step, the 20-year-old said, was to have more of an influence further up the ground.

"I've been doing a lot of work with the midfield group," Heppell said.

"It's definitely a goal of mine to become more of a midfielder. I enjoy playing across half-back as well, but it'd be great to push into the midfield. It's been a big learning curve the last couple of years.

"Playing a bit more in the midfield last year was a bit of an eye-opener, I suppose, to how hard you have to work to be able to become a dominant player in the position."

Heppell said the club's dramatic slide in the second half of 2012 had been driving the players through summer.

But he said the arrival of Brendon Goddard from St Kilda had added extra impetus before what the club hopes will be a return to the finals this season.

"Last year most definitely still sits in the back of your mind. Obviously it's fantastic to get Brendon down to the club, but of course he's not going to do it all for us.

"The club has identified a few different things that we can change throughout the pre-season and I think it's working well so far.

"Everyone's looking forward to getting in to a few games already."

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