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Career Profile

He arrived in 1992 under the father-son rule and was still at school when he made his debut the following year. Fletcher made an immediate impact winning both the Essendon Best First Year Player award, and the AFL Player's Association Best First Year Player award. He quickly became an integral part of the Essendon senior side playing in a vareity of positions over the first two seasons before finally settling at fullback.

In 1995 Fletcher was selected in the Victorian state squad, but unfortunately was not picked to play. In 1996 he moved up the ground on regular occasions, showing that he could kick goals as well as defend.

After being a major contributor in 1997 and 1998 Fletcher had a brilliant year in 2000 helping Essendon to a flag, winning the Club's Best and Fairest award and All-Australian selection in the same year. He was by now one of the best defenders in the competition. Fletcher has a great ability to stop key oppostion forwards with his seemingly "telescopic" arms.

His 2001 season was marked with injuries throughout the year and he went into the 2001 final series with stress fractures. He was outstanding in the first two finals and will be remembered for two magnificent marks in the dying moments of the Preliminary Final against Hawthorn which stopped their run. He was a member of the 2001 Grand Final team which lost to the Brisbane Lions.

An outstanding 2002 season was marred by suspension. He spent some time up in the forward line but was most valuable in the backline with his kickouts a feature of the game.

In 2003 he was again riddled by injury and suspension but he managed 14 games, mainly in defence, and was
second in the Club's rebound 50s. He was suspended for striking in the first final, and missed the semi-final against Port Adelaide.

In 2004 Fletcher spent the majority of his 20 games in defence, playing at full-back, managing to kick one goal for the season.

As Essendon's top defender, he continued to lead the backline with strength and reliability each week in 2005. This was recognised when he was awarded Most Courageous player at the Crichton Medal count. His input so important that the team seemed to struggle without his presence. He reached two milestones in 2005 where he made his International Rules Series debut, and, along with his father Ken Fletcher, recorded collectively their 500th match as a father-son combination.

Fletcher continued his fine form in 2006, reaching his 250 game milestone and was described by coach Kevin Sheedy in a news conference as a 'genius'. He was third in the Crichton Medal and co-captain of the Australia International Rules side (with Sydney's Barry Hall).

The veteran defender was at his brilliant best again in 2007, earning All-Australian selection and finishing runner-up to James Hird in Essendon's Best and Fairest award. He had more kicks (309) than any other Essendon player except Brent Stanton (322) and took 144 marks. He not only has the ability to shut down the opposition's most dangerous forwards, but he also provides plenty of run from defence and has a wonderfully reliable long kick. He is one of Essendon's most invaluable players.

Dustin's father, Ken, played 264 games for Essendon 1967-1980).

Dustin Fletcher was named at number 30 in the Champions of Essendon (2002).

Draft History: 1992 National AFL Draft, father-son selection (Essendon)
Player Honours: AFL Player Association best 1st year player 1993
Norwich Rising Star nominee 1993, Round 9
All- Australian 2000, 2007
International Rules Series 2005, 2006
Club Awards: Best first year player 1993
Best and Fairest 2000
2nd Best and Fairest 2007
3rd Best and Fairest 2006
Most courageous player 2005
Premierships: Essendon 1993, 2000
Pre-season premierships: Essendon 1994, 2000
Career Brownlow Votes: 46

View Dustin's profile in our Past Player database

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