The 400-game career of Essendon veteran Dustin Fletcher is officially over, with the 40-year-old formally announcing his retirement on Friday morning.
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In a statement on Essendon's website, the defender announced the end of his remarkable career, which spanned more than 20 years.
"It's been a huge honour to play at the same club as my dad and the team you supported as a kid, and to pull on the jumper for more than twenty-years is something that I'm very proud of," Fletcher said in the statement.
"I'd like to thank my wife Suzie, my boys Max and Mason and my family and friends for their support over my career, it's been great to celebrate the success with them and they've always been there for me after a win or a loss.
"I'd also like to thank the members and supporters for the way they've treated me and my family over the years. Celebrating with them after winning the flags in '93 and 2000 was really enjoyable and their support, especially over the past three years, is something that I won't forget.
"I've loved every minute of playing for Essendon, I've been fortunate to win a couple of premierships and shared some great memories with my team mates and good friends.
"I'd like to especially thank Kevin Sheedy, James Hird and Doc Reid for their support and friendships over the whole journey. I can walk away knowing I gave everything I could for this Club."
Fletcher will retire as the club's games record holder (400), and sits fourth on the VFL/AFL games record table. He is a dual premiership player (1993 and 2000), 2000 Club best-and-fairest winner, two-time All Australian (2000 and 2007) and four-time International Rules Series player (2005, 2006, 2010 and 2014).
Sheedy, his former coach, paid tribute to Fletcher and his contribution to the club.
"Fletch arrived at Essendon as a skinny school kid, and he transformed himself into one of the greatest players to play the game," Sheedy said.
"He'd regularly beat the toughest and strongest forwards to have played the game, his shut down speed, ability to read the game and competitiveness was something he never lost.
"He's a very humble person and the way he went about his football endeared him to football fans, not just Essendon supporters, he'll be remembered as one of the greats."
