Dustin Fletcher confident Essendon will select his son Mason in 2018 national draft

ESSENDON is eyeing likely father-son Mason Fletcher as part of their 2018 draft haul. And the junior star’s 400-game father Dustin is confident his boy can take the next step.

BEN BROAD

2 min read

February 12, 2018 - 5:24PM

Mason Fletcher appears set to join the Bombers. Pic: Getty Images

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ESSENDON great Dustin Fletcher is confident his son Mason can become the third generation from his family to don the red and black.

Fletcher, the 400-gamer who retired at the end of 2015, is hopeful the Bombers will nominate his son as a father-son in this year’s national draft.

If selected by the Bombers, Mason Fletcher will become the third of his family to do so after grandfather Ken also played 264 matches for Essendon.

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“I’m probably reasonably confident (he’ll be drafted by Essendon),” Fletcher said.

“It’s a big year. He’s got his Year 12 (studies) which we hope he does well at, big year of TAC Cup and school footy as well.

Mason Fletcher spent time with the Bombers last month. Pic: Getty Images

Dustin Fletcher played 400 AFL matches. Pic: Michael Klein

“I’m reasonably confident but he’s just got to keep working hard, put on some weight, enjoy the hard training ... he’ll be thereabouts.”

Mason Fletcher has already established himself as a likely father-son selection and last month spent time training with the club where his father spent 23 seasons and won two premierships.

Junior coaches have noted the eerie similarity between father and son, but the former champion defender revealed there were slight differences.

“He’s six-foot-six, so he’s taller than me now,” Fletcher told Bomber TV.

“He’s going to put on some weight, so it might take him a little bit longer to get going (and match it) with big guys.

“I think he might get a bit of a run forward this year (in the TAC) and we’ll see how we go, working hard and trying to get kicks as a forward.

“He’s actually a reasonable mark, I wasn’t a very good mark.

“He reads the play pretty well. He’s probably just got to work on his longer, endurance stuff and that (kind of stuff).”

Dustin Fletcher with son Mason during the Bombers’ 2000 premiership season.

Mason will share his time between the Calder Cannons and school football with Penleigh and Essendon Grammar.

Dustin Fletcher said training with Essendon last month had been an “eye opener” for the 17-year-old.

“He played in a bit of game simulation type stuff and realised that he’s with the big boys now and he’s got to put on a bit of weight and get the ks in the legs if he’s going to be a chance at the end of the year to get drafted.

“I’m looking forward to the year as a parent and obviously sitting back and watching him play.”

Originally published as Dustin Fletcher confident Essendon will select his son Mason in 2018 national draft