Fletcher Hints At Retirement

Veteran defender Dustin Fletcher said on Tuesday that 2009 would likely be his final AFL season.

“I reckon I can play next year, and I wouldn’t be going too far after that because, you know my body’s still feeling pretty good at the moment but, you know when you get into your 30s …” Fletcher said. “I still enjoy the game, mentally I think I’m still with it and enjoying it and physically I’m not too bad as well. But I think next year will nearly be it I reckon.”

Fletcher, who will play his 288th AFL match against Carlton at the MCG this Sunday afternoon and in the process break the record number of games of a father/son combination – 552 – overtaking the record held by Carlton’s Sergio & Steve Silvagni.

“Obviously having the Silvagnis being such great players at Carlton and being really nice people, I suppose it’s funny how it works,” Fletcher said. “You look at some of the names … Silvagnis … obviously myself and Dad, the Tucks, the Whittens … there’s some big names there. I suppose to be recognised … is a pretty big thing I think, yeah.”