FOOTBALL
AFL
BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
AFTER last year’s AFL Trade Period saw the breakdown of the Latrobe Valley contingent at the Gold Coast Suns, one of the game’s biggest clubs is becoming a hub for the region’s exports.
Last December, Leongatha’s Dyson Heppell was scooped up by Collingwood, hired as a development coach under premiership coach Craig McRae ahead of the 2026 season.
The former Essendon captain was added late to the Magpies’ football department following the departures of Scott Selwood and Josh Fraser.
In an additionally surprising move, in early February it was revealed that Heppell and VFL club Port Melbourne had parted ways.
During last season, Heppell served under a playing coach role for the Borough, featuring in all 18 games, while also managing a fairy tale return to his home club, Leongatha.
The Parrots, alongside other clubs such as Moe in regards to Riley Baldi at Casey, fought to ensure that VFL-listed players could qualify for Gippsland League finals.
All was eventually sorted and Heppell went on to claim dual best-on-ground medals in Leongatha’s fifth flag in the last decade.
His departure from Port Melbourne leaves the door open for a possible reappearance with the Parrots in the near future.
At the Borough, Heppell served under his former Essendon coach James Hird (as Port Melbourne’s Director of Coaching), who made a local stop last year for a special meet-and-greet at the Top Pub, Morwell Hotel.
Recently, the Top Pub also welcomed Bombers trio, former skipper Zach Merrett, Sam Durham and Nate Caddy.
No doubt there would have been some hostility from the Essendon supporters in the room towards Merrett following his much publicised trade demand to Hawthorn during the offseason.
With Heppell now arriving at Collingwood, it not only gives him a chance to feature deep into finals, unlike with his former AFL club, but he’ll also join a healthy unit of Latrobe Valley and broader Gippsland exports.
Traralgon’s Tim Membrey is into his second year with the Magpies, while Morwell’s Tew Jiath will be hopeful to break into the senior side.
The younger brother of new Melbourne player Changkuoth Jiath (who exited the Hawks after eight years in the brown and gold) has not mounted a second match with Collingwood at the top level since debuting in Round 16, 2024.
Each of Jiath and Membrey (204 games) pale in comparison to Sale’s Scott Pendlebury, who is six games off breaking the AFL games record held by North Melbourne great Brent Harvey.
Two-time Morwell premiership player Mannon Johnston has also worked for Collingwood since 2019, after departing the Tigers and a short period for Yallourn Yallourn North, currently serves as AFL Player Engagement Manager and gameday runner.
The Magpies list and talent manager, triple premiership player with the Brisbane Lions, Justin Leppitsch also has a connection to Gippsland, having bought and renovated the former Pier Port Hotel in Port Welshpool into The Rusty Gurnard.
