Essendon veteran Dyson Heppell will captain the club for a sixth-straight year. Heppell’s extension as captain was confirmed in recent days with board approval.

The 29-year-old has been fearless during his time as Bombers captain, playing through injury and putting his body on the line in virtually all of his 191 games for the Bombers.

He managed 19 games in 2021 and looked rejuvenated in a role across halfback, which also paved the way for teammate Darcy Parish to enter the midfield full-time and breakout as a genuine star of the competition.

Heppell, taken with Pick 8 in the 2010 draft, is due to come out of contract at the end of 2022.

The 2014 All-Australian and best and fairest winner is expected to become the 30th player in Bombers history to reach the 200-game milestone.