This moment is the 30th of a virtual series presenting the Bombers' best 31 moments over 150 years, which fans can vote on for their chance to win prizes. Click here to view and vote, and see the schedule and prizes below.
When Dustin Fletcher first strode onto an AFL field in an Essendon guernsey - round two, 1993 against Carlton, which ended in a draw - few could have predicted that the stick-thin, 17-year-old schoolboy would, 22 years later, break Simon Madden’s games-played record of 378 at the Bombers. That he managed to do so, despite tremendous change in the game during his 23-season career, is evidence of Fletcher’s guile, his work ethic, the way he prepared and recovered, and his hidden desire to compete.
He was truly one of a kind.
Long-time teammate Matthew Lloyd described Fletcher as “an absolute freak.” Lloyd said, “We played on each other a few times at training, but Fletch knew his limitations on the track and he never pushed himself too hard to risk breaking himself down, which is probably a key to his longevity in the game. In one-on-one situations, I really struggled with his reach and the way he would cut off the angles.” Their midfield teammate Joe Misiti joked that Fletcher “was the worst trainer going around! He’d get out there and go to the back of the group and just count down the minutes until the coach blew the whistle and said everyone can go inside. But come game day, he was a great competitor.”
At times during his career, Fletcher was criticised for playing off his opponent, rather than defending him closely, however Lloyd said that coach Kevin Sheedy recognised Fletcher would serve the side better as an attacking tool out of the back line. “We as a club had decided that we wanted to use him as a weapon, more so than just a stopper,” Lloyd explained. “His kicking was such a weapon, as was the way he would cut off opposition kicks in defence, so our theory was why have him on the best full-backs when we could have him floating across the back line where he was so dangerous. He was a crucial tool in us turning defence into attack.”
It was a welcome role change for Fletcher, having spent his early years locking horns with some of the greatest forwards of all-time, including Tony Lockett, Stephen Kernahan, Jason Dunstall, Tony Modra, Wayne Carey and Gary Ablett senior.
Fletcher’s father Ken - a former club captain and 264-game player between 1967-1980 - puts his son’s longevity down to “his keenness, his genetics and ability, and his easy-going nature. He never panicked, no matter who he played on. I thought initially that Sheedy was doing the wrong thing when he played him at full-back, that could have ruined him, and, if he hadn’t had the right personality, it could have had a real negative effect on him as a player. But they turned out to be right, as he was perfectly suited to the role.”
Fletcher Jr was a key player in Essendon’s two recent premierships - the 1993 'Baby Bombers' team and the all-conquering 2000 side, of which Fletch won the Crichton Medal as the club’s most consistent and reliable performer.
In round one, 2014 against North Melbourne, Fletcher passed Madden when he played his 379th game. Then, in round nine the following season, against Richmond at the MCG, Fletch became just the third player in VFL/AFL history to run out for the 400th time. He joined Richmond’s Kevin Bartlett (403 games) and the league’s long-time record-holder, Hawthorn’s Michael Tuck (426), atop the football tree. They have since been joined by North Melbourne’s Brent Harvey (432) and Port Adelaide and Hawthorn champion Shaun Burgoyne (407).
To put Fletcher’s feat in perspective, a total of 316 players on club lists in his last season, 2015, were not even born when he made his debut in 1993. Fletcher’s milestone and career was celebrated all week and prior to the game, which the Bombers lost to the Tigers by 13 points. But sadly, during the game, Fletcher’s famously durable, 40-year-old body, finally said enough. Injured against the Tigers, match 400 was also his last.
Dustin Fletcher’s remarkable record at Essendon will certainly take some beating.
SCHEDULE OF MOMENTS
Round 1 (launching May 6) - 1872-1939
Round 2 (launching May 10) - 1940-1959
Round 3 (launching May 15) - 1960-1979
Round 4 (launching May 20) - 1980-1989
Round 5 (launching May 25) - 1990-1999
Round 6 (launching May 30) - 2000-2021
Round 7 (launching June 4) - Finals round
PRIZES
Round 1 – One 2022 merchandise pack, including an Essendon New Era Black on Black 9FORTY Snapback cap ($40) and an Essendon Heritage Bar Scarf ($30)
Round 2 – One Essendon Fibre of Football Scarf ($80)
Round 3 - One Essendon Football Club 150-year anniversary commemorative mosaic ($295)
Round 4 – One Essendon Football Club 150-year anniversary commemorative mosaic ($295)
Round 5 – One 2022 team-signed guernsey ($500)
Round 6 – One copy of the Red & Black Collection special 150th anniversary book ($329)
Round 7 – One copy of the Red & Black Collection special 150th anniversary book ($329) and one 2022 team-signed guernsey ($500)
