DUSTIN FLETCHER is making early plans to saddle up again in 2014, for what would be his 22nd season with the Bombers.
 
The 38-year-old is serving a two-match suspension but will return in the final game of the season against Richmond in a fortnight for his 379th game and become Essendon's all-time games record holder.
 
"I would love to be a part of the team next year but we will just have to see how the next few games go," Fletcher told The Hangar, the weekly Essendon TV show on Fox Footy.

Fletcher believes the Dons are putting together an elite side that could achieve something big.
 
"You look at a team and you look at a spine of the team the way footy is played with our midfield, we have a midfield that can compete with the best teams in the competition," he said.

"We are lucky enough to have seven or eight good talls that can hold those key positions down and in the ruck with Paddy (Ryder) and Tommy (Bellchambers) I think we have a good basis."

"If I am still doing my bit well then I would like to go on and see how I go next year but time will tell and we will wait and see how this year unfolds."

The club's surplus of talls means a decision on Fletcher's future will also involve whether other key defenders, like Tayte Pears, are ready to take on a defensive post.

Pears is out of contract at the end of this season, and has struggled to break into the side consistently with Fletcher, Cale Hooker and Jake Carlisle manning the backline.

Coach James Hird said recently discussions had started with Fletcher about 2014, and that it would be Fletcher's call.

"We're putting him under no pressure to make that decision," Hird said.

"I think it is Dustin's decision and he'll make the right decision for him and the club.

"I'm not sure what that is and I don’t think he knows what that is right at the moment."