Dustin Fletcher isn't one generally for the spotlight, but he didn't have much chance of ignoring it this week in the lead-up to his 379th game. Surpassing champion ruckman Simon Madden as Essendon's games-record holder, Fletcher led the Bombers onto the ground on Friday night against North Melbourne and started proceedings where he has most of his life at Essendon: in the defensive 50. Appropriately, given Fletcher's record of playing on all types of forwards during his career, he spent some time on the talls but also matched up regularly against North flanker Sam Wright. Importantly for Fletcher and his club, he celebrated his milestone with a 39-point win.

 

While Fletcher edged closer to the 400-game mark, four debutants earned their first taste of AFL football. North's father-son Luke McDonald, who had set himself to play in the opening round well before he was officially a Kangaroo, started with a clanger which resulted in Essendon's first goal but recovered to have some good moments across half-back. Of the Bombers' three first-gamers, Patrick Ambrose offered some support up forward and was courageous in the air, Martin Gleeson was assured off half-back and Zach Merrett, after starting as the substitute, was tenacious when the ball hit the ground in limited game time.  

 

It didn't take long for Paul Chapman and Nick Dal Santo to show why their new clubs pursued them so heavily during last year's exchange period. New Bomber Chapman kicked two first-term goals, including the first of the game, and later in the term Dal Santo showed his class with a dead-eye finish from an angle to kick his first goal in North Melbourne colours. Dal Santo finished with 21 disposals but not a lot of influence. But it was the opposite for Chapman, who kicked four goals and showed he could be the dangerous, damaging small forward Essendon has lacked for many years. The 32-year-old could not have hoped for a better start at his new club.

We're not exactly going out on a limb here, but we suggest in September the three Brownlow Medal votes from this clash will go to J.Watson. Incredibly, it seemed the Bombers skipper had almost free reign throughout the first half when he set up Essendon's lead by dominating at the stoppages. By half-time the 2012 Brownlow medallist had collected 25 disposals, and appeared set to overtake his career-best tally of 41, from way back in 2008. He didn't quite get there, finishing with 38, but that included two second-half goals. He remains Essendon's best and most important player.

 

Once again Lindsay Thomas proved his is not the conventional small forward. Thomas is 180cm tall, but he's not a roving, crumbing forward who uses his pace to get in goalkicking positions. Thomas is a more of a small who plays tall, highlighted again against Essendon on Friday night. The 26-year-old's first three goals all came from marks and converted set shots. Two of the marks were contenders for the best of the round, flying above opponents to bring down the grab. His fourth continued the highlight reel, somehow slotting a goal from the boundary line on the run. Thomas was North's best in an ordinary performance.

 

Twitter: @AFL_CalTwomey