#751 Ken Fletcher

The younger generation will know him as the father of Essendon's games record holder, Dustin Fletcher, but those who watched the Bombers throughout the 1970s will have good memories of the long-sleeved Ken Fletcher running up and down the wing at Windy Hill in the number 21 guernsey. Certainly, there were times during Dustin's long career where, in certain poses and movements, he looked eerily similar to his father. Between them, father and son played a V/AFL record 664 games (400 for Dustin, 264 for Ken). Clearly, the genes were good ones in the Fletcher family bloodline!
In his 15 years at Essendon (1967-80, plus a premiership in the under-19s in 1966), Ken kicked 55 goals, was the club's Best First-Year Player (1967), played in the 1968 Grand Final (a three-point loss to Carlton), was Most Improved (1969), Most Consistent (1970-72), Best Clubman (1975, 1980), a Crichton medallist (1978), represented Victoria several times, and he also captained the club (1977-79). Later, he was a specialist coach under Kevin Sheedy (1983) and in charge of the under-19s (1984-85), before joining the club's committee (1987-98). Fletcher was inducted into Essendon's Hall of Fame in 2011 (his son was later made a Legend of the club), and was selected at No. 55 in the top 60 'Champions of Essendon' (2002).

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