Teammates and friends left angry with Essendon's Dyson Heppell decision

A group of Essendon players were left angry with the club’s decision not to select retiring star Dyson Heppell for Friday night’s clash against Sydney.

Heppell announced his retirement from the game earlier in the week with the 252-gamer still hoping to play a role on-field for the remaining games of the season.

He was dropped after their Round 20 drubbing against St Kilda and has failed to be recalled into the senior side despite being fit.

Given this was likely to be Essendon’s final game in Melbourne for the season, many fans and club greats expected coach Brad Scott to give Heppell a farewell game in front of home fans against the Swans.

The Bombers ended up losing the clash by 39 points under the Marvel roof with the result putting the final nail in the coffin of any potential finals footy.

Given his loyalty and standing at the Essendon Football Club, SEN’s Sam Edmund is reporting that a number of senior players were left outraged with Scott’s decision not to play the revered figure.

“There are those inside that Football Club, many of his teammates feel that he earned it on merit given he was fully fit and available and warranted a spot in that side,” Edmund told SEN’s Crunch Time.

“Yes, there is some angst in that playing group that Dyson wasn’t picked in that side last night, some of his long-time friends, some of his long-time teammates and it’s not too dissimilar to the Tom Bellchambers several years ago.

“He hasn’t played since Round 20, he’s very much a favourite son there and I think the fan base loved him not because he’ll be a Hall of Famer or because he never made a mistake on the field but because as a leader and captain in the most difficult era at that club he stayed when so many left.

“Not only did he stay but he also ensured some other players stayed when they otherwise would’ve headed towards the exit.

“For all those reasons and some more, the players weren’t happy last night with him not being picked.”

The Bombers will now head to Brisbane for their final game of the season on Saturday night at the Gabba.

Scott didn’t confirm whether or not Heppell will be picked to play in that game in last night's post-game press conference.