Essendon star Dylan Shiel says Zach Merrett's outstanding leadership skills have come to the fore in the absence of injured skipper Dyson Heppell.

Taking over for Heppell against Sydney in round 16, Merrett has captained the Bombers in four games, winning three times and continuing a rich vein of form that has seen him average 29 disposals and five tackles this season.

Shiel said he had always admired Merrett as an opposition player, and that admiration had only grown since calling him a teammate.

“I really rated Zach when I played against him,” Shiel told RSN 927.

“We actually sat next to each other at the All-Australian dinner a couple of years ago so I was aware of how good he was.

“He has been fantastic to me since I arrived at the club. I am a big fan of the way he goes about his footy and his training.

“He is OCD about how he trains and getting things right and that is a real strength of his. 

“As a leader of the football club, he certainly sets an example for the younger guys.”

Shiel said Merrett was one of several teammates who’d made a big impression on him in his first season in the red and black.

“There have been a few guys at the club I have been really impressed with since arriving. 

“There are always guys that you are not too aware of and then you get there and see them train and play every week and you go, ‘wow they are actually going to have a really good career’.

“I have been enjoying the last couple of months.”