In Essendon’s most dominant season, Dustin Fletcher was the team’s most important player according to former teammate Matthew Lloyd.
The Bombers lost just one game on the way to winning the 2000 Grand Final.
Fletcher was named Best and Fairest that season.
“I always thought (James) Hird was the best I ever played with, but Fletch was often the most important because the moment he went out we fell apart as a defence,” Lloyd said.
“Not only did he beat his own man, he saved everyone else.
“He did so much for the psyche of the Club and the players that played around him.”
Fletcher announced his retirement today after 400 games with the Bombers.
Lloyd said Fletcher sits comfortably alongside Stephen Silvagni and Matthew Scarlett as the best fullbacks of the past 20 years.
“They don’t just stop an opponent but they hurt you down the ground as well,” he said.
“Being able to play 400 games tells you a lot about how mentally strong Dustin is.
“He was a goalkeeper on an AFL ground – I’ve never seen a player like him."
Fletcher was a premiership player by the end of his first season in 1993.
“I remember watching Dustin stand at full-back on Grand Final day on Stephen Kernahan. I remember just looking up to Dustin. I’d never met him before, but (I remember) looking up and thinking I would love to do what he’s doing one day,” Lloyd said.
They did get the opportunity to play together in 1995 and would be the bookends for Essendon for the next 15 seasons.
“Dustin would have only been 19 at the time and I just remember him being an established member of the side.
“Taking on all these champions every week – never complaining.”
Ablett, Dunstall, Lockett, Carey, Modra, Sumich – Fletcher played on some of the best forwards the game has seen.
He could play on the small forwards too. Fletcher often lined up on West Coast's Phil Matera and his chase down of then Carlton player Jeff Garlett remains etched in the memory of many Bombers fans.
And so are his long-range goals.
“He’s one of the most skilled defenders I’ve ever seen,” Lloyd said.
“His ability to understand his own body in regards to not wrestling, cutting off the angles – he’s been a really smart player over a long period of time.”
Fletcher's last game was in round nine against Richmond.
Games: 400
Goals: 71
Premierships: 1993, 2000
Best and Fairest: 2000
All-Australian: 2000, 2007
