Dustin Fletcher has delivered Essendon fans the news they have been waiting to hear, announcing he wants to play for another two seasons.
At 35 years of age - which makes him the oldest player in the AFL - he says he has no desire to hang up the boots.
""You don't like to talk about it too much but if I could finish this year off well there is no reason why I can't play next year,"" he said exclusively to Bomber.tv.
""You take it year by year but, if everything goes alright, there might be another two (seasons) in me.
""I am still enjoying it so that is the main thing.""
Fletcher said he believes the squad is poised for success and that the young players give him enjoyment.
As far as the 1992 National Draft, Father/Son selection is concerned, while he is still learning and the body feels right he will play for a long as possible.
""The good thing about it is that you have the young kids around (at Windy Hill) and you are always coming into an environment where the young boys are up and about and, at times, I only feel about 26-27 years old,"" he said.
In his only filmed interview ahead of his record breaking 321st game on Saturday night, Fletcher names the best forward he has played on, the best defender he has seen and the best Bombers he has played with.
When the man known as 'lanky' and 'inspector gadget' runs out for Dreamtime a the 'G he will move into second place (passing the great Dick Reynolds) on the club's all-time games played list.
Only Simon Madden (378 games) will have represented the club more.
""When football is all done and dusted you can look back and see your name there. They are two of the greats for the club and to see Flecther next to those names .. you feel pretty honoured,"" he said.
Fletcher names the 2000 Premiership as his career highlight saying he was too young to appreciate the 1993 win.
""In 1993, it was my first year .. I think 2000 having been 7-8 years on and knowing what you had to do to work for a Premiership,"" he said.
He admits playing on Carlton's Stephen Kernahan as a 17-year-old in the 1993 Grand Final was intimidating and reveals he wants to go into coaching when he retires.
""I have done some of the coaching courses on offer and I am currently doing one, the next coach program,"" he said.
""I enjoy that and I enjoy teaching the young kids.
""It's easy for me to put myself back in the position and give them some experience. I enjoy the recruitment side and seeing the young kids come up.""
4.02pm - Rio Tinto Cup Curtain Raiser begins at MCG – Northern vs Southern
5:50pm - The Long Walk leaves Federation Square.
7.00pm - Dreamtime at the G presentation begins featuring:
- 600 Long Walk participants walking one lap around the boundary line (led by Michael Long)
- Call to Ceremony performed by Maurial Rose Spearim
- Archie Roach to perform
- Aunty Joy Murphy perform a smoking ceremony
- Introduction of the six creator spirits to music
- Bart Willoughby, Deline Brisco, Tjimba Possum Burns and guests to perform
7.30pm (approx) - Essendon and Richmond FC enter
7.40pm - Welcome to Country Ceremony
7.45pm - Match commences
8.50pm (approx) Half Time – Auskick / Flying Boomerangs Lap of Ground
10.20pm (approx) - On-field post match presentations of Yiooken trophy to the player adjudged best on ground and the Kevin Sheedy Cup to the winning team captain.
