I thought this was a story about Simon Fletcher when I first read the headline:
Fletcher: I'll mend my ways
03 December 2003 Herald Sun
Mark Robinson
AT 28, Dustin Fletcher is arguably two finals "brain explosions" from being regarded as a great player.
He's still very good, perhaps battling Geelong's Matthew Scarlett as the best full-back going around, but very good players become great by September deeds.
Fletcher's past two finals campaigns have hurt him.
In 2002, he was suspended for one match for tripping West Coast's Chris Judd in the elimination final. He missed the Port Adelaide game and the Bombers lost.
This year, he was suspended for two weeks for collecting Fremantle's Roger Hayden in the elimination final. He missed the Port Adelaide game and the Bombers lost.
The incidents undoubtedly blotted his otherwise great reputation.
Fletcher says he will work to get his reputation back.
"When you finish football it would be good to be looked as a great player, a great full-back," he said yesterday at the club's "Survivor Camp" at Cann River in Victoria's far east.
But currently a great player with flaws? "Yeah, that could be right."
The Hayden report caused all the headlines. His character was questioned and his maturity.
But Fletcher, probably the most laconic player at Windy Hill, says he didn't try to hurt Hayden.
"I don't know what I'm allowed to say but I didn't think my arm was really cocked to kill him or hurt him," he said.
Fletcher didn't fly to Adelaide for this year's final. He didn't want to be a reminder to the players. Even now, he battles some demons.
"I feel as if I've let people down," he said.
"I don't feel angry, I'm not an angry bloke. I don't feel embarrassed because I didn't really go out there and belt someone. Well, in my book I don't think I did.
"It's more letting the blokes I train with and the coaches down; people who I've been around for the past 10 or 12 years."
The Bombers find it difficult to criticise him. Coach Kevin Sheedy spoke to him after both reports, but Fletcher's laid-back nature and honesty tend to find friends rather than enemies.
"When I'm out there and doing it, I don't mean to cause any damage or anything," he said. "They do look a bit, I suppose, pretty ordinary, but it's just the style I go about it, throwing my legs or arms out to stop somebody.
"It's pretty hard to change, but I think I might have to."
Fletcher's on the charge to 300 games. Not bad for a full-back. He's on 202, and with 300 he wants another premiership, which would be his third.
At the Bombers' Point Hicks "Survivor Camp", Fletcher is assuming a leader's role. He has to. Barnard gone. Alessio gone.
He took it on himself to ride with No. 6 draftee Kepler Bradley and Courtney Johns "for a few hours" on a 70km ride through Croajingolong National Park on Monday.
"Through that you get to know them pretty well by just being around them," he said.
Being around them. It's likely to be Fletcher's motto next year
We can only hope.
Fletcher: I'll mend my ways
03 December 2003 Herald Sun
Mark Robinson
AT 28, Dustin Fletcher is arguably two finals "brain explosions" from being regarded as a great player.
He's still very good, perhaps battling Geelong's Matthew Scarlett as the best full-back going around, but very good players become great by September deeds.
Fletcher's past two finals campaigns have hurt him.
In 2002, he was suspended for one match for tripping West Coast's Chris Judd in the elimination final. He missed the Port Adelaide game and the Bombers lost.
This year, he was suspended for two weeks for collecting Fremantle's Roger Hayden in the elimination final. He missed the Port Adelaide game and the Bombers lost.
The incidents undoubtedly blotted his otherwise great reputation.
Fletcher says he will work to get his reputation back.
"When you finish football it would be good to be looked as a great player, a great full-back," he said yesterday at the club's "Survivor Camp" at Cann River in Victoria's far east.
But currently a great player with flaws? "Yeah, that could be right."
The Hayden report caused all the headlines. His character was questioned and his maturity.
But Fletcher, probably the most laconic player at Windy Hill, says he didn't try to hurt Hayden.
"I don't know what I'm allowed to say but I didn't think my arm was really cocked to kill him or hurt him," he said.
Fletcher didn't fly to Adelaide for this year's final. He didn't want to be a reminder to the players. Even now, he battles some demons.
"I feel as if I've let people down," he said.
"I don't feel angry, I'm not an angry bloke. I don't feel embarrassed because I didn't really go out there and belt someone. Well, in my book I don't think I did.
"It's more letting the blokes I train with and the coaches down; people who I've been around for the past 10 or 12 years."
The Bombers find it difficult to criticise him. Coach Kevin Sheedy spoke to him after both reports, but Fletcher's laid-back nature and honesty tend to find friends rather than enemies.
"When I'm out there and doing it, I don't mean to cause any damage or anything," he said. "They do look a bit, I suppose, pretty ordinary, but it's just the style I go about it, throwing my legs or arms out to stop somebody.
"It's pretty hard to change, but I think I might have to."
Fletcher's on the charge to 300 games. Not bad for a full-back. He's on 202, and with 300 he wants another premiership, which would be his third.
At the Bombers' Point Hicks "Survivor Camp", Fletcher is assuming a leader's role. He has to. Barnard gone. Alessio gone.
He took it on himself to ride with No. 6 draftee Kepler Bradley and Courtney Johns "for a few hours" on a 70km ride through Croajingolong National Park on Monday.
"Through that you get to know them pretty well by just being around them," he said.
Being around them. It's likely to be Fletcher's motto next year
We can only hope.
