The West Coast premiership coach is out of contract at the end of next season, but Bombers captain Heppell said Worsfold was the man to lead the Dons into their next era.

"I certainly do," Heppell told Fairfax Media. "I think he's been super in what he's been able to do in a short amount of time.

"The way he's gone about it, the way he's been able to gel this playing group, I think he's been fantastic."

Having coached West Coast for 12 years, Worsfold took the Bombers job at the end of 2015 following a two-year hiatus. He faced a crisis early in his tenure when 12 Essendon-listed players were banned for the 2016 season, resulting in Worsfold's second wooden spoon as a senior coach.

With most of those players back this year, the dual Eagles premiership captain has the Bombers in finals contention with two rounds to play.

Heppell has also backed young gun Andrew McGrath to beat Hawthorn's Ryan Burton and Port Adelaide's Sam Powell-Pepper to this year's Rising Star title. The trio are widely considered to be the three players in serious contention to win the award.

McGrath, the first pick in last year's national draft, has played 18 games in 2017, impressing off half-back, most recently playing an impressive role on star Adelaide small forward Eddie Betts last weekend.

Heppell, who won the award in 2011, said McGrath was the pick of the bunch. "I think he should win it by a mile, to be honest. What he's been able to do in his short time at the club so far has been super. Not only is he a really smart decision-maker and a natural footballer, his ability to play his role for the side, he's had some huge roles, obviously last week with Eddie Betts, he's been super."

Heppell said he has checked in with McGrath during the year to see how his body has been faring. "They've managed him really well in terms of giving him a break here and there and managing his training loads."

Heppell added that he expected McGrath to take a position in the club's midfield in years to come.