FLETCHER, Dustin

No Essendon player has played more games than Dustin Fletcher and, at his retirement, he was one of only four men in over 120 years of League football to play 400 games.

"Fletch" arrived at Essendon as a 17-year-old schoolboy as a father/son selection in the 1992 National Draft and made his senior debut in the Round 1 drawn game against Carlton. The two teams were to meet again in that year's Grand Final, giving Fletcher his first premiership medal in only his 17th senior game. So began one of the great careers in Australian football.

Not surprisingly, he won the Club's Best First Year Player award and a Rising Star nomination in 1993.

Tall and rangy, he had deceptive pace, fine anticipation and judgement, and a booming kick. Throughout his 23-season career, consistency was a hallmark of his game, as well as an unflappable temperament. His closing speed was often underestimated by opposing forwards and his countless, crucial, last-ditch attempts to spoil using his long reach and flexibility limited many opposition scoromg attempts and earned him the nickname "Inspector Gadget".

As a young player, he found himself opposed to some of the game's greatest full-forwards, including Gary Ablett snr, Tony Lockett, Wayne Carey and Jason Dunstall. It was against such champions that he learned his craft and he rarely lowered his colours, in fact, he was to become one of the greatest defenders in League history.

Low-key on the field as well as off it, "Fletch" was a great Bomber favourite throughout his entire career. While as a full-back his goalkicking opportunities were few, fans loved it when he launched his 70-metre torpedo punts from long range. He kicked 71 goals in his career and kicked three goals on five occasions. In his honour, one end of the ground at Docklands Stadium was named the "Fletcher End" for Essendon's home games.

In 2000, Essendon had the best season of any club in the competition's history, with 24 wins from 25 games and Fletcher was judged the Club's best player, winning the Crichton Medal as Essendon's Best and Fairest Player. He also won his second premiership medal and All-Australian selection.

He finished in the top ten of the Club's Best and Fairest award an impressive 14 times.

He was a regular goal-keeper in the International Rules series against Ireland, representing Australia in 2005, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2015.

He played his 400th game in front of almost 84,000 people in the Round 9 Dreamtime clash against Richmond, with the expectation that he would add more game to his tally in his final season. However, a hamstring injury that night brought a premature end to what had been a remarkable career.

At 40 years and 23 days in his final game, he became the second-oldest player in League history (behind Melbourne and St Kilda's Vic Cumberland) and the length of his career (22 years and 53 days) is the longest on record.

His father, Ken, was an Essendon captain and played 264 games between 1967 and 1980. Their combined tally of 664 games is comfortably the highest father-son tally.

Dustin's son, Mason, was a member of the James Hird Academy and then played with the Calder Cannons and seemed set to follow his family tradition in League football, but instead opted to try his luck at American football. He became a punter with college team Cincinnati Bearcats in 2021. Proving he has his father's kicking ability, in October 2022, his 84-yard punt set a Cincinnati Bearcats and American Athletic Conference all-time record and was the longest punt in the country that season.

Dustin's younger son, Max, was also a member of the James Hird Academy and had joined the Calder Cannons development squad, but decided to follow his brother's example and he too left to try his luck in the USA. He accepted a full scholarship from Arkansas Razorbacks in 2022.

Both boys honoured their father's legacy by each wearing number 31 and they faced off in a college game between their respective teams in November 2022. It ended in an exciting win on debut for younger brother Max in front of almost 75,000 fans.

Dustin Fletcher was named no. 30 in the Champions of Essendon (2002) and was elevated to Legend status in the Club's Hall of Fame. He was awarded AFL Life membership in 2007.