Fletch
Fletcher, Dustin

RRP
A$34.99

In the tough, adrenaline-fueled world of Australian Football, Dustin Fletcher is a legend. In 2014, the 39-year-old Essendon Bomber runs out for his 22nd season not only as the oldest man in the game, but also one of the best-loved by sports fans, commentators, coaches and fellow players alike. Fletch tells Fletcher's incredible true story in his own words: from his beginnings growing up as the son of Essendon legend Ken Fletcher to his prodigal son debut aged just 17, and his meteoric rise with premiership-winning dream team "The Baby Bombers" led by iconic coach Kevin Sheedy and star teammate James Hird. Fletcher's up-close-and-personal insights into the latter during the biggest scandal to ever rock the game, the ASADA drugs-in-sport investigation that rocked Essendon in 2013, make for riveting reading and offer, for the first time, an insider's view of this ongoing saga. It's just one of many revelations in this remarkable autobiography which takes us behind the scenes of a famous footballing life with all its on-field action, off-field controversies and personal dramas. Honest, explosive, poignant and entertaining, Fletch reads as 'Fletch' kicks - straight, strong, true.

Author Information

Dustin Fletcher was born a long torpedo punt from Essendon's home ground of Windy Hill and has been an Australian Rules footballer for his beloved Essendon Bombers since 1992. As the son of former Bombers captain Ken Fletcher, it seemed Dustin's destiny to wear the red and black jumper. In 1993 he debuted in the AFL as a gangly 198 centimetre 17-year-old schoolboy with legendary coach Kevin Sheedy's 'Baby Bombers', matriculating that same year with an AFL premiership. So began an extraordinary journey that has seen Dustin become one of the modern era's greatest defenders.

Dustin has won two premierships (1993 and 2000), twice been named in the All-Australian team (2000 and 2007) and has represented Australia four times in International Rules, the second appearance as team captain. Aside from his incredible defensive skills, Dustin is one of the longest and most accurate kicks in the AFL. In 2007 one of his torpedo punts traveled more than 70 metres to goal. According to The Sunday Age, it was the fifth longest kick in the history of the VFL/AFL.

Dustin and his father, Ken Fletcher, hold the record for most games played by a father and son (657). Dustin became Essendon's games record-holder in 2014 when he played his 378th game and, age 40, is poised to play his 400th game in 2015 and move to second on the AFL's all-time games played list. Dustin is officially the most watched AFL player of all time - over 20 million fans have seen him play.

Dustin is married to Suzie and has two sons, Max, 15, and Mason, 12. He lives in Moonee Ponds, Victoria.

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