Sam’s the man, says Fletcher | Video

The 400-game AFL defender also said he will be on hand to offer advice to the first-year coach, who has returned to Windsor Park for the first time in a decade.

Lonergan was drafted in 2005 and played 79 games for the Bombers before a brief stint at Richmond.

He was a playing assistant coach at SANFL club Glenelg last season before deciding to head home to take charge of the Blues.

The 28-year-old called on Fletcher to come to Launceston on Friday in a sign of the bond the pair shared in the Bombers’ defence that could continue into next season.

‘‘When he got the coaching gig here, he rang and up said would you like to come down,’’ Fletcher said.

‘‘They’ve got a good coach in Sam (Lonergan) and he’ll get the club up and going, and I am always prepared to give him a hand.’’

Fletcher, who retired at the end of 2015, played 15 of his record 23 AFL seasons under mastercoach Kevin Sheedy.

He had ‘‘no doubt’’ Lonergan has the qualities to make a smooth transition into the coaching ranks.

‘‘First, he’s honest – and that’s important,’’ Sheedy said.

‘‘He was at Essendon seven or eight years, I suppose, but he’s an honest person who’ll give his all and that’s what you want as a coach.

‘‘He’s on-field stuff – he was pretty hard at it and a courageous player, so he’s going to drag a few with him on the journey.

‘‘He also speaks well and more or less, he’s a quality person.

‘‘That’s going to help him for sure.’’

Fletcher expects Lonergan will deliver a hard at the ball-type game style for Launceston to help eradicate a leaking defence in 2015.

The Blues finished in eighth spot of the 10 TSL clubs – two of three Launceston teams to finish in the bottom three – with just five wins from 18 games.

They conceded 1797 points – the second highest in the league – or nearly 100 points a game while comparatively scoring less than just 66 points.

‘‘You’d think he’d be a little bit defensive, not negative though,’’ Fletcher said.

Essendon also announced on Friday that Jobe Watson would remain the club captain for the 2016 AFL season.

Watson had contemplated walking away from the position – amid a late-season sojourn away from football to Europe that saw the Bombers struggle amid several heavy defeats.

Fletcher rubbished claims that Watson wasn’t still the best man for the job to lead the club.

‘‘I think it got talked up a little bit that he didn’t want it,’’ he said.

‘‘We all know Jobe the person, he did a fantastic job and towards the end of last year it crept up on him a little bit.

‘‘He’s captained me for how many years ... he’s a fantastic leader and one that you always look up to and listen to.’’

Fletcher also hoped the appointment of John Worsfold would be a positive step for the Bombers and throw off the spectre of the ongoing drugs saga.

He said Worsfold would deliver a ‘‘more consistent message across the board’’ than former coach James Hird.

‘‘Woosha [Worsfold] wasn’t there when it happened, so it’s good having him come in and maybe not worry about what’s going on,’’ Fletcher said.

‘‘I’m not sure, but with a bit of luck, the saga will be  over before Christmas, I’m hearing.

‘‘So, touch wood, it can be done and dusted because it’s been going on for over three years and football people don’t really need it.’’