Retired Essendon player Dyson Heppell is reportedly being chased by VFL club Port Melbourne as a playing assistant under new senior coach Brendan McCartney.
The Borough, who are keen on securing Heppell according to News Corp, are in the midst of a coaching overhaul, adding Bombers legend James Hird (director of coaching) and Adrian Dodoro (Essendon list boss) alongside McCartney.
The retiring Essendon star will add 253 games of experience with a host of leadership qualities, reflected by leading the club through the drug saga that saw Hird sacked as senior coach.
In the past four seasons, Port Melbourne has struggled to make a meaningful impact in the reserves competition, winning 20 games and missing the finals each year.
The introduction of Hird, Dodoro and McCartney hopes to re-align the club to a successful path, whilst adding Heppell to the mix furthers that agenda.
McCartney left his most recent post at Collingwood in a development role to join Port Melbourne, which followed assistant stints at Richmond, Geelong, Melbourne and Essendon, as well as leading the Western Bulldogs (2012-2014) for three years.
"When the opportunity came to be head coach at Port Melbourne I jumped at the chance," McCartney said in a club statement in August.
"This is a club with a rich and proud history, and I want to be part of the story."
As for Hird, the Essendon legend was touted as the Borough's senior coach in 2025 but opted to take on a different position, working alongside McCartney and the new team as director of football.
This led to the signing of Dodoro, according to News Corp, who parted ways with the Bombers after 26 years, and was replaced by Matt Rosa.
Heppell has been linked to country club Leongatha in the Gippsland League where his brother Aaron has previously played, and can be listed as his home club if he opts to join the Borough.
