Dustin Fletcher unloads a torpedo. Picture: Salpigtidis George
IF Melbourne wanted a lesson in intensity, it had a perfect teacher in Essendon veteran Dustin Fletcher.
Fletcher could have been forgiven for just kicking back and taking an easy night at the office - for a number of reasons.
Live HQ: Essendon v Melbourne
For a start, the ball wasn't in his vicinity a great deal as the scoreboard alone will tell you.
There was the fact that Fletcher will be 38 in 30 days' time. Add to that, the fact that this match comes 20 years to the corresponding round of his debut, way back in Round 2, 1993. And he is now three games into his 21st AFL season.
Essendon V Melbourne at the MCG, Colin Sylvia tackled by Dustin Fletcher Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: HWT Image Library
But none of those variables meant anything to the Bombers' defender as he knows no other way than to compete.
Sadly, Melbourne never had the same completion last night. Fletcher gave the Demons a lesson in how to do that for free.
He wasn't best afield; but he was one of his team's best players.
Fletcher threw himself into every contest within his jurisdiction. Very few Melbourne players could say the same.
One of those who had a first-hand view was out-of-sorts Demon Jack Watts. Watts started in defence, couldn't make an impression, and was then shifted forward where, for a time, he was opposed to Fletcher.
Essendon V Melbourne at the MCG, Colin Sylvia tackled by Dustin Fletcher Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: HWT Image Library
By the 20-minute-mark of the third term, Watts had to watch from the sidelines - with the red vest covering his jumper. It was symbolic of the Dees' night.
Through it all, Fletcher continued on as he started out, giving run from defence and helping to set up more than a few of the seemingly endless supply of Bomber moves forward.
There was the early tackle on Colin Sylvia; the first-term intercept; the big defensive grab that earned him a rare spot on the bench and a massive cheer from the Dons' faithful; the second-term spoil on James Sellar that ended up with a goal; and the willing of the crowd for Fletcher to unload one of his torpedo barrels.
He finally succumbed to the temptation late in the last quarter and it was the only time he was made to look vulnerable.
Fletcher's torp went off at right angles, and he instantly clutched at his groin and trudged off the field.
The Bombers' faithful were worried for a few minutes, before he came back on and took a great mark late in the game.
He still has a future left in him. The same certainty cannot be said for a number of Demons out there last night.
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