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Fletch celebrates 38th birthday

As the competitions oldest player, age is clearly no barrier for the evergreen Dustin Fletcher who this week celebrated his 38th birthday.

8:15pm  May 7, 2013

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Star quartet close to action

Essendon coach James Hird has revealed star quartet Dyson Heppell, Jake Carlisle (ankle), Dustin Fletcher (groin) and Michael Hurley (ankle) were close to being passed fit for Saturday's clash with GWS.

12:09pm  May 3, 2013

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Hird confident in Dons depth

Essendon coach James Hird is confident the club has the ability to cover for the loss of key duo Patirck Ryder and Dustin Fletcher against St. Kilda.

1:47pm  Apr 19, 2013

Latest Player Video

Fletch's Flashback #7 presented by Bosch Hot Water and Heating

11:30am  May 17, 2013

Fletch's Flashback #6 presented by Bosch Hot Water and Heating

9:08am  May 9, 2013

BTV: Essendon Insider - 7 May 2013

11:59am  May 7, 2013

Senior List

31

Dustin
Fletcher

Height
198 cm
DOB
07-05-1975
Weight
93 kg
Debut
1993
Games
2013
5
Career
370
Goals
2013
0
Career
34
2013 Dream Team Points
Total
298
Avg
60
DustinFletcher

Player Bio

At a Glance

Junior Clubs: Essendon Grammar
Clubs: 
Debut: 1993
Recruited from: Western U18
Brownlow Votes: 62

PLAYER SPONSORS

Supporters

EFC Cheer Squad
Grant Reynolds


Benefactor

Soma Building Services

 

The ever-reliable Dustin Fletcher proved again in 2012 that age is no barrier, putting in a consistent performance in all of his 18 games. The veteran defender celebrated his 37th birthday during the year and played his 350th game on the Gold Coast in round 3. He proved his importance across the last line of defence on a number of occasions throughout the 2012 season, saving matches for Essendon in the dyeing moments.

Season by Season

Season by Season

The veteran, the oldest player in the AFL, remained a vital part of the Essendon defence, missing only four games. Comfortably led the club in rebound 50s (95), but his influence lies in his kicking, smarts and pace, obvious in his match-saving chase-down tackle on Carlton’s Jeff Garlett in round four. Starts the season three games short of becoming only the 11th player in history to play 350 or more games.

Stats

By the numbers

  • 2013   Season Average
    Games Played 5
    • Kicks 11.4
    • Handballs 3.2
    • Disposals 14.6
    • Marks 4.4
    • Hit-Outs 0.0
    • Tackles 1.6
    • Goals 0.0
    • Dream Team 59.6

2013 Highlights

Statistics Best Opponent Round
Kicks 16 Adelaide Crows Rd 1
Handballs 5 Melbourne Rd 2
Disposals 18 Geelong Cats Rd 7
Marks 7 Melbourne Rd 2
Hit-outs 0 - -
Tackles 2 Brisbane Lions Rd 8
Goals 0 - -
Dream Team 74 Melbourne Rd 2

2013 Season Breakdown

Rd Opponent Result K H D M HO FF FA T G B DT
1 Adelaide Crows W 82 - 117 16 0 16 5 0 0 1 2 0 0 68
2 Melbourne W 184 - 36 13 5 18 7 0 0 0 1 0 0 74
3 Fremantle W 68 - 72 4 4 8 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 27
4 St Kilda W 91 - 128 - - - - - - - - - - -
5 Collingwood W 121 - 75 - - - - - - - - - - -
6 GWS Giants W 120 - 81 - - - - - - - - - - -
7 Geelong Cats L 113 - 85 14 4 18 5 0 0 0 2 0 0 73
8 Brisbane Lions L 86 - 96 10 3 13 4 0 0 0 2 0 0 56
9 Richmond - - - - - - - - - - -
10 Sydney Swans - - - - - - - - - - -
11 Carlton - - - - - - - - - - -
12 Gold Coast Suns - - - - - - - - - - -
14 West Coast Eagles - - - - - - - - - - -
15 Port Adelaide - - - - - - - - - - -
16 Western Bulldogs - - - - - - - - - - -
17 GWS Giants - - - - - - - - - - -
18 Hawthorn - - - - - - - - - - -
19 Collingwood - - - - - - - - - - -
20 West Coast Eagles - - - - - - - - - - -
21 North Melbourne - - - - - - - - - - -
22 Carlton - - - - - - - - - - -
23 Richmond - - - - - - - - - - -
TOTAL W: 6 - L: 2 57 16 73 22 0 0 1 8 0 0 298

By the numbers

  • Career Average
    Games Played 370
    • Kicks 8.6
    • Handballs 2.4
    • Disposals 11.0
    • Marks 3.2
    • Hit-Outs 0.2
    • Tackles 0.9
    • Goals 0.1
    • Dream Team 43.2

Career Highlights

Statistics Best Opponent Round
Kicks 25 Collingwood Rd 5, 2007
Handballs 10 Collingwood Rd 5, 2010
Disposals 32 Western Bulldogs Rd 4, 2008
Marks 14 Fremantle Rd 2, 2009
Hit-outs 5 Carlton Rd 18, 2001
Tackles 7 Port Adelaide Rd 7, 2010
Goals 2 North Melbourne Rd 10, 2002
Dream Team 130 West Coast Eagles Rd 11, 2007

Career Breakdown

Season Club K H D M HO FF FA T G B DT
2013 Essendon 57 16 73 22 0 0 1 8 0 0 298
2012 Essendon 244 45 289 88 0 12 10 20 1 2 1156
2011 Essendon 213 76 289 77 0 9 17 32 1 0 1114
2010 Essendon 216 75 291 79 3 11 14 28 1 1 1126
2009 Essendon 218 102 320 86 8 14 11 30 1 1 1232
2008 Essendon 198 84 282 96 0 12 12 18 2 3 1113
2007 Essendon 309 85 394 144 1 9 27 30 3 2 1598
2006 Essendon 211 67 278 97 3 4 9 12 0 0 1086
2005 Essendon 226 37 263 70 3 11 12 13 0 0 992
2004 Essendon 220 42 262 70 5 16 12 28 1 3 1060
2003 Essendon 145 34 179 44 3 7 14 14 0 0 659
2002 Essendon 202 44 246 51 9 9 13 30 3 2 966
2001 Essendon 239 62 301 78 16 11 11 18 4 4 1169

Legend

K
Kicks
H
Handballs
D
Disposals
M
Marks
HO
Hit-outs
FF
Frees For
FA
Frees Against
T
Tackles
G
Goals
B
Behinds
DT
Dream Team

Milestones

AFL Games: 365

Awards

AFL AWARDS

All-Australian  2000, 2007

AFL Rising Star nominee  1993

International Rules Series  2005, 2006, 2010

CLUB AWARDS

Best and fairest  2000

2nd best and fairest  2007, 2009

3rd best and fairest  2006

Premiership sides  1993, 2000

Pre-season premiership side  1994, 2000

Q&A

Sportsperson (other than AFL) you love to watch the most: Any Premier League soccer player

Coach’s favourite saying: “400 boys!”

Coach’s pet: Kyle Reimers

Favourite Footy Commentator: Bruce McAvaney

Whose autograph did you get as a kid? Tim Watson

Describe your perfect day off: Lie on the couch/ feet up, and a swim.

Who inspires you? My family

Best advice received: Always give your best

What scares you the most? Failing

If you weren’t a footballer what would you be? A striker for Burnley Football Club

First job held: Paper Boy

Person you would most like to meet: Alex Ferguson

Three things you would like to do after your football career: Coach, travel and enjoy life

Greatest non- football achievement: Having children

How would your best friend describe you? Relaxed

One thing you can’t eat: Avocado

What domestic chore do you refuse to do?  Washing

Which event would you prefer to attend, Olympics or World Cup? World Cup

Favourite Australian Personality: Warnie!

iPhone,  Blackberry, or Android: Samsung

Best book read: Alex Ferguson Autobiography

Favourite TV show: First 48

Favourite band/ musical artist: The Black Eyed Peas

Favourite movie: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo