Essendon coach Ben Rutten has credited Dylan Shiel for his spectacular turnaround, revealing the decision to drop him earlier in the year was because the star midfielder needed a mental “reset”.
After being the poster boy for Essendon’s struggles in the first half of the year, Shiel has been central to the team’s recent surge in form that has seen it win four out of its last five matches.
Following Essendon’s round 12 bye, Shiel has tallied 25 or more disposals in five out of his next six games, something he did just twice in 10 appearances prior to the week off.
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As one of Essendon’s highest-paid players, Shiel’s poor form had become an unwelcome distraction at Bomberland in the early part of the year, particularly when he was brutally mocked by Swans star Luke Parker during an embarrassing loss in Sydney in round 9.
Rutten admitted the decision to drop Shiel was “difficult” and opened up on the circumstances that led to the controversial call.
“It kind of got to the point for us as a group and for Dylan that we’d been working really closely about trying to find his best footy,” he told 3AW’s Sportsday.
“We thought what was best for him and what was best for us was to short circuit that and give him a spell and a bit of a reset.
“Coincidentally, it meant that he was a sub for a game and ended up playing about a half, but certainly it was an opportunity for him and for us to be able to support Dylan and help him get back to his best footy and clear his mind, simplify his game and get back to what he really loves doing.”
The 29-year-old is one of the more experienced heads in a young Bombers line-up, and Rutten praised him for his leadership throughout what’s been a difficult season.
“Full credit to Dylan … the way he accepted the decision that was made and the way he actually put some plans in place about what his best footy looks like and how he can get back to that, he certainly put the work in,” he said.
“I think he’s been a great role model for our guys and to be an experienced player and find the sort of footy he’s playing at the moment it’s a real credit to him.”
Shiel and the Bombers will look to continue their recent run of form when they face the rampant Collingwood Magpies at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.