Essendon captain Dyson Heppell says the Bombers must guard against lingering jealousy as returning players face a fight for spots in the best 22.
After a year in the wilderness as a result of doping bans, Heppell and nine teammates are at last free to face Hawthorn in what looms as an emotion-charged round-one MCG blockbuster on Saturday night. But not all 10 will play against the Hawks. David Myers is sidelined with a finger injury, and Tom Bellchambers appears unlikely to be risked as he makes his way back from a knee problem.
![Leader: Dyson Heppell.](/web/20170319133946im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/8/8/o/o/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gv1atc.png/1489905540882.jpg)
While Heppell, Jobe Watson, Michael Hurley, Travis Colyer and Cale Hooker appear to be walk-up starters, midfielders Ben Howlett and Heath Hocking have been only peripheral players during the pre-season, with both overlooked for Essendon's final JLT Community series match against Geelong.
The emergence of players such as Darcy Parish and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti last year, as well as the additions of veteran James Kelly and draftee Andrew McGrath, has helped create a selection squeeze. While the problem of seemingly increased depth may be a good one to have for the Bombers, Heppell said envy was a potential byproduct. He said he hoped those on the outer would not sulk.
"Obviously having 10 guys who weren't there last year coming into the club, it does put a lot of pressure on selection. It creates a lot of headaches for the coaches," Heppell told Fairfax Media.
"But I think the main message from the coaches and Woosha [senior coach John Worsfold] himself is that throughout this year everyone's going to have a role to play. We really want to celebrate each other's success and not get jealous."
Heppell conceded however that jealousy was perhaps inevitable. "Obviously that's a very big part of competitive sportsmen," he said.
"You obviously want to be playing in the best side and you want to be the best week in, week out. There obviously will be amounts of jealousy going on throughout any footy club, any sporting code, so it is something you need to try and manage."
Heppell said communication would be vital in ensuring the selection heat was ultimately a positive for the Dons, who haven't won a final since 2004.
"For the leadership group and for the coaching staff as well, the main message is to give them real clarity on why they aren't in the team. That gives them a real perspective on 'what do I need to work on?'
"That's the key message, making sure they're very clear on why they're not playing and then obviously get around them. Go and help them improve on what they need to and really get them back in that side."
The 2014 All-Australian said little had surprised him since assuming the captaincy from Watson last month. "I'm really enjoying the role at the moment. I've got great support around me, and it's also great to have Jobe still there obviously being a real mentor for me over the last few years, and still there to bounce things off, so it makes things a lot easier for me.
"[I'm] generally in a really good space at the moment and very excited leading into round one."
While Myers and Jayden Laverde (ankle) are both unavailable for extended periods, the Dons have reasonable availability heading into round one, other than in the ruck.
Forward Hooker put his hand up for selection against the Hawks with two goals against the Cats in a VFL practice match on Friday night following a hamstring tendon injury earlier in the pre-season.
But big man Bellchambers played limited minutes at Simonds Stadium as he continues his comeback, and it seems improbable he will face Hawthorn. Shaun McKernan is expected to play in the ruck in the absence of Bellchambers and Matthew Leuenberger, the latter of whom hurt his hamstring last weekend.
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