Essendon full-back Dustin Fletcher is a certain starter against Melbourne this Sunday despite missing the Bombers' final training session at Windy Hill this afternoon. Fletcher has had a bout of the flu during the week and was told to rest by medical staff to ensure he has fully recovered by Sunday. ""He was struggling a bit yesterday but he's much better today so he will certainly be right by Sunday,"" Essendon football manager Matthew Drain said. The Essendon match commitee will finalise the Essendon team at the completion of training.

Fletcher will once again be a key part of the Bombers defence this Sunday and is likely to play on dangerous big man David Neitz. The All-Australian full back returned to form last weekend with an excellent performance on Richmond star Matthew Richardson.