Essendon veteran Dustin Fletcher has called time on an incredible career that has spanned more than 20 years and 400 games.
Despite his best efforts, Fletcher’s troublesome groin denied him the opportunity to pull on the boots for a farewell game this weekend.
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An Essendon legend, Fletcher bows out after extracting every last drop of talent from his remarkable body.
“It’s been a huge honour to play at the same club as my dad and the team you supported as a kid, and to pull on the jumper for more than twenty-years is something that I’m very proud of,” Fletcher said.
“I’d like to thank my wife Suzie, my boys Max and Mason and my family and friends for their support over my career, it’s been great to celebrate the success with them and they’ve always been there for me after a win or a loss.
“I’d also like to thank the members and supporters for the way they’ve treated me and my family over the years. Celebrating with them after winning the flags in ’93 and 2000 was really enjoyable and their support, especially over the past three years, is something that I won’t forget.
“I’ve loved every minute of playing for Essendon, I’ve been fortunate to win a couple of premierships and shared some great memories with my team mates and good friends.
“I’d like to especially thank Kevin Sheedy, James Hird and Doc Reid for their support and friendships over the whole journey. I can walk away knowing I gave everything I could for this Club.”
Fletcher retires as the Club’s games record holder (400), sits fourth on the VFL/AFL games record table, and is also the most watched player in AFL history.
Farewell Fletch at the 2015 Crichton Medal. Click here to purchase tickets.
A dual premiership player (1993 and 2000), 2000 Club Best and Fairest winner, two-time All Australian (2000 and 2007) and four-time International Rules Series player (2005, 2006, 2010 and 2014).
Former coach and long-time friend, Kevin Sheedy, said Dustin has been an outstanding representative of the Essendon Football Club.
“Fletch arrived at Essendon as a skinny school kid, and he transformed himself into one of the greatest players to play the game,” Sheedy said.
“He’d regularly beat the toughest and strongest forwards to have played the game, his shut down speed, ability to read the game and competitiveness was something he never lost.
“He’s a very humble person and the way he went about his football endeared him to football fans, not just Essendon supporters, he’ll be remembered as one of the greats.”
Celebrate Dustin's retirement with Wolf Blass 400 Club Shiraz. Click here to purchase.
Essendon Football Club CEO Xavier Campbell paid tribute to Fletcher following the announcement.
“Fletch hangs up the boots a dual premiership player, best and fairest winner, All-Australian and champion of the Essendon Football Club,” Campbell said.
“He isn’t a fan of the spotlight but he has provided the Club and its supporters with so many fantastic memories, including those enormous barrels he’d unload from the centre square.
“Everyone at the Essendon Football Club wishes Fletch and his family all the best for his future after football and congratulates him on his outstanding service to the Club and the game.”
