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
Anthony Maguire
Guest
LOL. Peanut comment. He's in the top three greatest defenders ever. Took on and beat the likes of Ablett, Modra, Dunstall, Lockett, Kernahan and more.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Murry, I'm not convinced he's helped those boys you mention much. Fletch only played 7 games this year and only 53 in the past 4 seasons. Of those, probably only about 10-15 were any good (and I'm being generous). If his value in these last few years was as a security blanket and mentor to the younger guys, well that's an indictment on Essendon. He's been no good for 2-3 years, but I suggested he retire 4 years ago simply to avoid being part of mavericks Hird/Dank's 2012 pharmacolgical experiment. Yeah, good on him for hanging around through the bad times to support the list. But as a non-Essendon supporter, I can't help feeling that he's been a charity case there for the past few years - maybe it's because they had little option with the trade sanctions and maybe it was because of his friendship with Hird (who needed a bit of love around him). It wasn't because of his football.
Shaw
Roar Rookie
Hmm, pd: channelling w.i.Gene today? Stupid statement re "should have retired 4 years Ago" would dons have done better in his absence? Would Hurley, Hooker, Carlisle, baugley have developed as well without his presence? In a horrible era for the club, he's been a constant "good news story "-old man Fletch going round again.... Shame he ran out of groin and finished up with the club in such turmoil, but good on him for being there thru the good and bad, and bloody awful times.
Anonymous
Roar Pro
Gee, sticking the boots into a retiring great of the game. One of only four players to play 400 games. That said I do agree in most part with your comment though.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
400 games is a magnificent effort for anybody and his longevity proves his greatness. However I think he's been one of the most over-rated footballers since Kouta. Fletcher was a key defender who was unreliable on good key forwards. In Essendon's glory years, he played well when the midfield was applying a heap of pressure, but not whenever he was on a good forward; he always looked very vulnerable against quality opponents. Sheedy always tried to move him. But he was absolutely brilliant in the third man up role, aka Nick Maxwell, peeling off a modest opponent. In fact he's a very similar player to Maxwell, but he lasted a lot longer and was more unassuming. Fletcher hung-on about 4 seasons too long (he should have retired when his ageing groin gave-up on him and before Hird wrecked the joint). I'd take Silvagni, Langford, Dench, Scarlett, Lake and now Rance any day ahead of Inspector Gadget. But well done Fletch, great effort.