FLETCHER, Ken

Ken Fletcher was a top wingman and defender who came from Essendon High School to the Essendon Under 19s in 1966, winning the Most Promising Player award that year.

He debuted the following year and played at full-back full before becoming a fine wingman with his great pace and a good skills. He later played in almost every position on the ground but eventually settling on the half-back flank.

Fletcher was a great clubman, a model of consistency and a magnificent contributor. He was particularly known for his fine kicking.

He won Essendon's Best First Year Player award in 1967, the Most Improved Player award in 1969, the Most Consistent Player award in 1970, 1971 and 1972 and the Best Clubman award in 1975 and 1980.

He finished behind Fitzroy veteran, Kevin Murray, in the 1969 Brownlow Medal.

Fletcher was selected on the wing in The Sun All Star team in 1973, was a reserve in 1974 and was on the half-back flank in the 1978 team. He was also on the wing in the Inside Football Team of the Year in 1973 and 1975. In 1978, he was chosen in the Gaelic football team.

He captained Essendon from 1977 to 1979 and was vice-captain in 1976 and 1980. He also won the Best and Fairest award in 1978 and was runner-up in 1973.

His 264 games puts him ninth in the all-time Bombers' list for games. He was on the half-back flank in the losing 1968 Grand Final team and also represented Victoria in every year from 1973 to 1976 and in 1978.

After breaking his leg in 1980, he retired at the end of the year. He had worn a helmet late in his career and was the only Essendon player to have done so to this time.

After leaving Essendon he became captain-coach of Tatura in 1981 and 1982. He returned to Essendon to be specialist coach in 1983 and then became coach of the Under 19s in 1984 and 1985.

Fletcher was a Club committeeman and later director from 1987 to 1998. He was a physical education teacher at Essendon High School and one of his pupils was team-mate, Tim Watson.

He is the father of Club champion and games record holder, Dustin Fletcher. Their combined tally of 664 games is comfortably the highest father-son tally.

Ken Fletcher was named at number 55 in the Champions of Essendon (2002) and made a Member of the Club's Hall of Fame in 2011.