Essendon captain Dyson Heppell has been awarded the John Kilby Trainers and Staff Award for the second consecutive year at the 2019 Crichton Medal awards ceremony on Tuesday night.

The skipper was sensational again this year, particularly in the first half of the season before an ongoing foot injury forced him to the sidelines in five of the 11 post-bye games. 

His efforts to take the field in the back half of the year and play through the pain for his team were inspiring and he never folded in the face of adversity.

Despite his challenges, the Heppell finished first at the club for average contested possessions (11.7) and average ground ball gets (8.3), second for average disposals (26.3), third for clearances (3.8) and fourth for inside 50s (3.7). 

The tough midfielder set a terrific example on and off the field, leading the way with his work rate, class and sportsmanship both on and off the field to draw the praise of the football staff and trainers and claim his second John Kilby award.