As I prepare to head off the the MCG tonight to see Dustin Fletcher become the first Essendon player to play 400 games, I can’t help but be a bit nostalgic.
My mind immediately goes back to his first ever game in Round 2, 1993 against the old arch-rival Carlton. The son of club legend Keith was just 17 years old and only
Fletcher became the newest member that day of what was a young team. The likes of Hird, Misiti, Mercuri, Calthorpe and Alessio had all debuted in the last few games of 92, with others such as Ricky Olarenshaw to come in the next few weeks.
These players along with experienced heads like Salmon, Thompson, Harvey and Watson would go on to win the premiership that season against those same Blues, capping off a magical season, with Gavin Wanganeen wining the Brownlow.
That first year he split his time between playing for Essendon and his school (Essendon Grammar), even back then he had a keen sense of loyalty to his mates.
For my first year living in Melbourne I couldn’t have asked for anything better.
While we have become accustomed to seeing Fletcher in the back half, he started as a ruckman that day, going up against former Carlton champion Justin Madden, himself a former Bomber.
That day is famously known as the game that Carlton captain Stephen Kernahan failed to score from 45 meters out, resulting in a draw.
The other thing that I distinctly remember from that day is not being at the MCG, listening on radio and having to change stations to find out what happened after the Kernahan kick, as Rex Hunt lost his marbles.
Through the 90’s Fletcher built himself into one of the games premier full backs. Taking on the likes of Lockett, Dunstall, Ablett, Modra, Kernahan and Sumich week after week.
It was around that time time I met some Bomber fans who called him “Trusty Dusty”. It’s a nickname I adopted and still use to this day.
Fletcher won a Best & Fairest in his second premiership season of 2000, including 3 masterful performances in the finals where he destroyed Carey, Whitnall and Neitz in successive games.
For a full back he’s an excitement machine, whether its a long barrel kick either from a point or from the centre square for one of his trademark goals like on Anzac Day this year or using his gadget arms and legs to make tackles he has no right to as Jeff Garlett will tell you all about, Fletcher gives his all on every occasion.
This flexibility is illustrated by his ability to play on tall and smalls and to play every position on the ground.
The testament to his longevity is that players such as Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas who started 2-3 years after Fletcher have been retired for at least five years and they both played 270 games. Current coach James Hird retired eight years ago and started just a few games before Fletcher.
He is a model citizen. You can probably count on two hands the number of times he has been in the media over all these years and I doubt he has ever been in the social pages of newspapers. You will never see him in any trouble with the law or with the club that he loves so much.
The perfect role model.
A true legend.
The form continued through the 2000’s and onto this year. Even at 40 his form has not dropped off and he should seriously think about going around again in 2016 to have a go at breaking Michael Tuck’s all time games record of 426.
In a tough period for Essendon, Fletcher gives a shining light. Something to hang our hat on.
I just don’t want it to end and really hope that decision is not taken from him.
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