SA Footy

This weekend Dustin Fletcher becomes just the eleventh player to record 350 games of AFL football. Fletcher made his debut in Round 2 of the 1993 season and as a 17 year old still at school he stood on the likes of Ablett, Kernahan, Lockett and Dunstall. In the Grand Final of that year the teenage Fletcher stood arguably Carlton's best ever player Sticks Kernahan as the Baby Bombers stunned the Blues to take the premiership.

The secret to Fletcher's success, along with his amazing physical attributes is his unflappable nature. From what I have read about him he takes everything in his stride. When you think about how the younger players get their hands held these days it makes you realise how remarkable Fletcher is. It's like throwing a rookie back on to Lance Franklin and saying...there you go kid, go stand that bloke.

It is for this reason that Fletcher did not sit out this game in order to play his 350th against Carlton because I suspect to Fletcher that this is just another game. Fletcher is still providing value to the Essendon team and many teams would kill to have such a tall and remarkably for his age athletic backman. He has always been an excellent spoil and has a good roost on him as well. For a wiry 'Micheal Tuck' kind of frame (albiet taller) he has also absorbed physical contests from more solid bodies.

If Fletcher kicks on next year he will be the first player in AFL/VFL history to attend a 20 year premiership reunion as a current player. When you think of longevity in the modern era the following names stand out...Harvey, Bradley and Fletcher. Fletcher might not get the kudos afforded to Bradley and Harvey but he is every bit as amazing as those two great players. To Essendon fans, he is one of kind.

regards,

REB

Great post mate

Great post REB.
Being lucky enough to meet him a few times he is really mild mannered bloke, he hasnt let the fame get to him and is still quite shy. To think that in all those years playing footy he hasnt had any troubles or disciplinary issues like so many kids coming through the ranks speaks volumes about him. He is very passionate about the club and wouldnt have had second thoughts about saving his 350th for Carlton and a huge crowd.
Still think he can go on for at least another year, probably wont get to 400 but is an absolute champion of our club.
I think with NAB cup and Internationals he has played over 380 games.
Amazing to think that a fair percentage of the 350 club are tall, stringy blokes. Must be something about their body shapes.
Not a bad father/son combo either with over 600 games for the club, maybe his two lads could get it to 1000

Rik E Boy wrote:Fletcher might not get the kudos afforded to Bradley and Harvey but he is every bit as amazing as those two great players. To Essendon fans, he is one of kind.

regards,

REB

Has something Harvey doesn't - a premiership

The question is, how long can he go on?! Is 400 games being ridiculous?

If he plays all year without injury, that'll get him to 370 (not including finals).

A few finals and a full year next year, he could conceivably touch 400. Not going to get Tuck's record, that'd require two more seasons with finals games, but an absolute dominant career.

They said on one of the footy talk shows on tv during the week that Fletcher has missed 98 games in his career through injury, suspension and school footy! Amazing.

Made a career playing on the 2nd or 3rd best forward in opposing sides.

The Sleeping Giant wrote:Made a career playing on the 2nd or 3rd best forward in opposing sides.

In his later years he has but as a young teen he often stood the very best in the game.

Jim05 wrote:

The Sleeping Giant wrote:Made a career playing on the 2nd or 3rd best forward in opposing sides.

In his later years he has but as a young teen he often stood the very best in the game.

Always a timely spoil with those gadget like arms. As a blues supporter has frustrated me many a time. Dont reckon he'll make 400.

Interestingly with Bradley mentioned before he played about 375 for Carlton and also played 90 odd for port magpies
for 4 years in the sanfl beforehand. So potentially he could have played close to 500 games if only played in the vfl/afl

Absolute legend footballer....boring character!

Yeah nah...played a lot of games, but I wouldn't rate him among the games greats.

SJABC wrote:Yeah nah...played a lot of games, but I wouldn't rate him among the games greats.

His only won 1 more premiership medal than Aaron Keating and alot less than Martin Leslie, also played in alot less GF's than Sean Dempster lol!

Fletcher is neither brilliant nor a star, but he is definitely amazing, seemingly having lost none of his pace, guile or ability to shut out an opponent.

A true marvel of the game.

The Sleeping Giant wrote:Made a career playing on the 2nd or 3rd best forward in opposing sides.

Not since about 2000, he has taken anyone from Carey and Brown to Betts and Stevie J.

The bloke is a freak and one of the games greats.

Never seen him play on Brown. One of the greats. Pfft. Been a serviceable player for a long time.

He was fantastic Saturday Night. Most blatant deliberate rushed behind seen in the game and not paid....

The Sleeping Giant wrote:Never seen him play on Brown. One of the greats. Pfft. Been a serviceable player for a long time.

You remember every opponent Fletcher has had then do you? Was more in reference to the fact he can play on the gorillas and the chimpanzes of the oppositions forward half.

All entitled to an opinion, much more than serviceable in my books though.