Retired #31: Dustin Fletcher - Legend & VFL Assistant Coach

[Donakebab]

Where's this coming from?

Just heard it on 10 news.

 

[Halftimehero]

Where's this coming from?

Essendon website

 

[Doss]

Urgh. I have that sinking feeling.

 

[Halftimehero]

Urgh. I have that sinking feeling.

If he wasn't thinking about playing on next year you would think he would tape it up and try and play though.

 

[Stopher]

If he wasn't thinking about playing on next year you would think he would tape it up and try and play though.

It was my first thought too, especially with finals so close.

 

[NoIdea]

EFC will do a Judd with Fletch - keep him on for another year, play him in a dozen or so games. As has been said, he's still better than anyone trying to get a game, so he's not being gifted a spot. With the list progressing as it is, and our chances of finals glory in the next year or so being very real, having his century or so of experience will be priceless.

Do they have a veteran veteran's list, where his salary isn't counted at all?

 

[Harlequin]

This news is certainly disappointing.

 

[Zach Package]

i guess the only positive is that this isn't a 'getting older' type injury.

In theory it's an easy fix and shouldn't hold any long term effects. I was far more concerned about the groin than i was about the finger

 

[GandalfTheDon]

Don't you go retiring on me Fletch

 

[Doss]

If he wasn't thinking about playing on next year you would think he would tape it up and try and play though.

You'd hope so, yes.

My sinking feeling is more because, well, Fletch is in our best 22 and he's a loss.

 

[Essendonia]

Time for the others to follow Fletch's lead and pull their finger out.

 

[daz17]

Will be so sad if he leaves without a farewell game.
Deserves to get chaired off.

 

[Yoda_]

>insert customary pull my finger joke here<

 

[bomberbaird]

Cant retire on that, as said would play on this year if wasnt going on next year

 

[daffo]

Will play on in 2015.

 

[Kong]

Will play on in 2019.

 

[Coldacre]

it's only a bloody finger!

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Will play on in 2029.

EFA.

 

[quotemokc]

Is it a season ending injury or season + finals injury?

 

[Beerfish]

Is it a season ending injury or season + finals injury?

I took it to mean season as in however many games we end up playing.

 

[yaco55]

I suspect that Dustin has played his last game.

 

[BadGuy]

I truly hope Fletch has at least another 7 games left in him, would be a huge shame if he retires only 7 games off.. But again, it wouldnt be a surprise, he'll be 40 next year, so it wouldnt be a surprise if he retires.

 

[CourtzMajora]

Hibberd said last night that he reckons Fletch will go on for one more season.

 

[Zach Package]

End of 2015 makes the most sense for the team. And I think Fletcher will know that.

Draft restrictions lift next year, Stein and Gregory will have another year in them, and as an added bonus he'll have the opportunity to crack the quadruple ton

 

[Doss]

Still undecided on what he's doing, apparently.

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2014-09-01/fletcher-to-decide-future-at-seasons-end