Essendon's emergence from the drug scandal years continues apace, with the Bombers confirming that Dyson Heppell will captain the club into the new era.
The halfback-turned-midfielder, 24, carried out his first public duty as captain on Wednesday morning, fronting the club's 2017 leadership group for the media at Essendon's Tullamarine headquarters after he was handed the honour by ex-captain Jobe Watson at a team meeting.
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He and coach John Worsfold will stage a media conference at midday after an intraclub practice match.
Heppell, long touted as captaincy material, takes the mantle from Brendon Goddard, who stepped in as captain during Jobe Watson's suspension last season over the supplements affair.
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Zach Merrett and Cale Hooker have been named vice-captains. Watson remains part of the leadership group, along wih Michael Hurley and Joe Daniher.
Heppell was odds-on favourite for the job after his 2016 season suspension - with 33 other Bombers - in which he travelled and took on a media role. 
"It's an absolute honour to be named the Captain of this great Club," he said. "Jobe has been a tremendous captain of our club. He's one of the great leaders of our game and he's been a wonderful mentor to me over the journey.
"While I inherit this enormous responsibility from Jobe, and acknowledge the great job BJ did as stand in skipper last year, it's important for me to be an authentic leader of the club and to develop my own leadership style.
"We have a fantastic leadership group, which varies in age and experience, but I know we are all committed to driving this club to where we want to get to."
The Heppell file
It's important for me to be an authentic leader of the club and to develop my own leadership style.
DOB: 14‐05‐1992
Height 189 cm
Weight 82 kg
Debut 2011
Career Games 106
Goals 33