Matthew Lloyd has backed Dyson Heppell as Essendon’s next captain.

3AW newsbreaker Mitch Cleary believes Heppell will be unveiled as skipper on Wednesday, following the news on Tuesday that Jobe Watson had stood aside from the role in 2017.

Essendon great Matthew Lloyd said it is a good decision.

‘It’s not just how he plays on the field,’ Lloyd said.

‘Dyson is the total package, in my opinion.

‘He’s 25, the perfect age to take over.’

Click play to hear Lloyd’s comments