It’s hard to fathom we’ll ever see another career quite like the legendary Dustin Fletcher’s.

The numbers which make up his Essendon playing journey are simply astonishing.

The man known as ‘Fletch’ accumulated 400 games spanning over 22 years, which resulted in two Premierships, one Crichton medal and two All-Australian selections. 

Fletcher played with 164 different teammates and was mentored by four different coaches.

Despite his age and longevity, it was his youthful entrance into the game which played a massive part in setting up a storied career.

Fletcher was in his final year of school when he made his debut for the Bombers in 1993, holding down a full-back position in Kevin Sheedy’s inexperienced yet burgeoning side.

The Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School boy topped a 17-game debut season with the ultimate success by becoming a key component of the Baby Bombers’ famous Grand Final triumph over Carlton.

His reliability as a backman only grew from there.

While Fletcher was endeared as a skinny key defender, it was those long levers spurring from his 198cm height which provided incredible ability for well-timed spoils, foiling a generation of the game's greatest forwards at will.

His potent kicking was a constant threat, with Fletcher easily being able to roost a ball 60 metres from kick-ins, or further out if the goals were in sight.

Fletcher was the undisputed backline general in the Dons’ famous 2000 premiership season which was lauded for not only its attacking prowess but miserly defence.

Despite a playing career which occurred during three different decades, Fletcher’s defensive ability was never compromised.

It was proved by his willing duels with some of the game’s legendary full-forwards in Tony Lockett, Jason Dunstall, Stephen Kernahan, Alastair Lynch and Lance Franklin, to name a few.

Essendon’s games record holder held his own all the way through to his quadruple century and final game in round nine, 2015.

A groin injury sustained in that game cruelled Fletcher of adding to his games tally, subsequently ending one of the most storied careers at the Bombers.

Fletcher’s everlasting career and elevation to Essendon Hall of Fame Legend will be celebrated at the club's 2022 Hall of Fame event on Thursday, February 24, with Neale Daniher, Gavin Wanganeen and the late Dr Bruce Reid also being elevated to Legend status.

Want to be there for one of the Bombers' most special nights?

Click here for full details and to purchase your ticket for the prestigious Essendon Hall of Fame event, which will be proudly presented by Liberty Free-Thinking Loans.