Dyson Heppell: "Horrendous" Body Image Culture in Footy

Former Essendon captain Dyson Heppell has spoken about developing an unhealthy relationship with food early in his professional football career.

He described the environment around body image in footy as "horrendous".

The "Fat Club" Culture

Heppell stated that players who did not meet specific weight targets after the off-season were placed into a group for extra cross-training, referred to by players as "fat club".

He described this practice as "pretty vicious".

Heppell recounted being placed in the "fat club" during a pre-season while recovering from a broken leg because he did not meet his weight target.

Personal Struggles with Disordered Eating

Heppell, who played 253 games for Essendon from 2011 to 2024, reported an obsession with eating and food preparation. He characterized this as disordered eating, making him reluctant to eat out socially.

Industry-Wide Practice and Criticism

Former NRL player Luke Bateman confirmed the presence of unofficial "fat clubs" in rugby league. In 2016, Carlton Football Club reportedly had a similar initiative, where players with over 12% body fat, measured by skin folds, underwent intense training. Sports administrator Brian Waldron criticized the term "fat club" as socially irresponsible.

AFL's Measures and Ongoing Debate

In 2024, the AFL prohibited clubs from conducting skin fold testing on prospective draftees. This decision allowed AFLW players and girls in the system to opt out of being weighed. A memo to clubs mandated that body weights be measured only by qualified professionals in private settings, with all data kept confidential. Former AFL coach Paul Roos publicly criticized the ban on skin fold testing.

These recent AFL measures aim to reduce the emphasis on player weight and body image, though former coach Paul Roos publicly criticized the ban on skin fold testing.

Persistent Challenges

Other former players have also spoken about issues related to food and weight. Cooper Hamilton, a former GWS player, has discussed body dysmorphia and an eating disorder during his career, including avoiding social events involving food and playing under-fuelled. A recent ABC survey identified similar struggles among elite female athletes.

Despite recent AFL measures to reduce the emphasis on player weight and body image, Heppell affirmed that "fat clubs" remain a practice within clubs.