Veteran Essendon defender Dustin Fletcher has called time on his AFL career after 400 games for the club.
Fletcher’s storied career has spanned more than 20 years and leaves him sitting fourth on the all-time VFL/AFL record list for most games played – 26 matches behind the leader, Hawthorn legend Michael Tuck.
The 40-year-old dual premiership player had hoped to farewell fans with one final game when the Bombers play Collingwood on Sunday at the MCG, however his troublesome groin denied him the opportunity.
After 23 seasons in the top grade, Fletcher will leave his beloved Essendon.
“It’s been a huge honour to play at the same club as my dad and the team you supported as a kid, and to pull on the jumper for more than twenty-years is something that I’m very proud of,” Fletcher said.
“I’ve loved every minute of playing for Essendon, I’ve been fortunate to win a couple of premierships and shared some great memories with my team mates and good friends.
“I’d like to especially thank Kevin Sheedy, James Hird and Doc Reid for their support and friendships over the whole journey. I can walk away knowing I gave everything I could for this club.
Kevin Sheedy, Fletcher’s long-time coach at the club, paid tribute to the defender’s contribution to the club.
“Fletch arrived at Essendon as a skinny school kid, and he transformed himself into one of the greatest players to play the game,” Sheedy said.
“He’d regularly beat the toughest and strongest forwards to have played the game, his shut down speed, ability to read the game and competitiveness was something he never lost.
“He’s a very humble person and the way he went about his football endeared him to football fans, not just Essendon supporters, he’ll be remembered as one of the greats.”
Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell was glowing in praise of the club legend.
“He isn’t a fan of the spotlight but he has provided the Club and its supporters with so many fantastic memories, including those enormous barrels he’d unload from the centre square.
“Everyone at the Essendon Football Club wishes Fletch and his family all the best for his future after football and congratulates him on his outstanding service to the Club and the game.”
Fletcher was a two-time all-Australian, club best and fairest winner and will no doubt go down as one of the game’s nice guys.
With AAP
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