The Gold Coast Suns are reportedly "in the mix" for Essendon captain Dyson Heppell, who is yet to recommit to the Bombers beyond this year.
Heppell's future has been speculated this past month amid contract uncertainty for the 30-year-old, who is understood to have only recently been tabled a one-year extension.
Further reports suggested the veteran midfielder-turned-defender was left unsatisfied by the offer, sparking further conjecture around Heppell's future at Tullamarine.
The situation has reportedly sparked some level of interest from rival clubs, withย Triple M'sย Damian Barrett recently suggesting Heppell is a "50-50" chance to remain in the red sash for 2023.
"Thereโs an offer to him to play in 2023 as a Bomber. But itโs not from what Iโve been told to his near liking," Barrett said last week.
"What we have now established is other interest from other clubs.
"Iโd say itโs a 50-50 chance that he will be exploring options outside of Essendon, unless they improve the offer.โ
Now, according toย RSN's Mark Stevens, the Suns have seemingly thrown their hat into the ring for Heppell's services, with a potentially longer deal on the cards.
"There's been speculation about other clubs, my sources are saying Gold Coast are firmly in the mix for Dyson Heppell," Stevens toldย RSN Breakfast Club.ย
"So there's a link to the Gold Coast with Heppell, perhaps a two-year deal to seduce Heppell up north. Would involve playing and perhaps a coaching role after that.
"Gold Coast are very much one of the clubs chasing Dyson Heppell. You'd think he would still stay at Essendon, but other clubs are still swirling."
Heppell has played 210 games for the Bombers since making his debut in 2011, a year he won the Rising Star Award.
The Leongatha product has played all 19 games for Essendon this year, and has expressed his hopes of playing on next year.
The Bombers have enjoyed a strong season of re-signings in 2022, confirming new deals for Nikolas Coxย (2024),ย Sam Durhamย (2024),ย Nick Hindย (2024),ย Kyle Langfordย (2026),ย Jayden Laverdeย (2025),ย Nic Martinย (2024),ย Andrew McGrathย (2024),ย Archie Perkinsย (2024),ย Andrew Phillipsย (2023),ย Zach Reidย (2025),ย Patrick Vossย (2023),ย Tex Wanganeen (2024) this year alone.
They still have 14 players unsigned for 2023, with Heppell joining the likes of Michael Hurley, Brayden Ham, Aaron Francis, Tom Cutler and Alec Waterman in being yet to recommit.
The Bombers will face GWS this Sunday at Giants Stadium, looking to secure their eighth win of the season.
