FOR A player renowned as being media shy throughout his 23-year career, Dustin Fletcher didn't have much of a choice this week. 

Playing a 400th AFL game is a rare and incredible feat that deserves plenty of attention.

He completed live television appearances, spots on breakfast radio shows, one-on-one interviews, photo shoots and even a press conference the morning before Essendon's clash with Richmond.

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Fletcher was presented his 400th jumper by 1993 and 2000 premiership teammate Joe Misiti in the rooms before the game, and became just the third player in VFL/AFL history to reach the milestone when he led the team up the race and through the banner. 

The 40-year-old was given the coin toss duties – he won and deciding to kick to the city end of the MCG – and then 'Fletch' was left to do what he has done for more than two decades: he headed to deep in the backline, sidled up to an opponent and went about shutting him down. 

But it didn't end the way he and his club would have hoped, with the Bombers going down to the Tigers and Fletcher subbed out with an adductor injury.   

Performance against Richmond

In recent years the Tigers have tended to play quite well against Fletcher, managing to work the ball forward by using his opponent on short and sharp leads. It has taken him away from being able to offer any support to other defenders by zoning off his own man. 

That was again the tactic employed by Damien Hardwick on Saturday night, with the Tigers keen to pass to Liam McBean and Ben Griffiths (Fletcher's main direct opponents) as often as they could. When they weren't doing that, they were dragging him as deep as possible to keep him out of the action. 

Dustin Fletcher runs away from Liam McBean. Picture: AFL Media

It meant Fletcher's 400th game was not full of long kicks, brilliant spoils or deft touches. He was relatively unobtrusive in the backline, needing to mind the lively McBean, who was playing just his second game for the club.

With McBean substituted out of the game at the last change, Fletcher spent the five minutes of the quarter matched up solely against Griffiths. He beat him in a one-on-one contest in the forward pocket, and cleverly deflected the ball towards the boundary line.

But moments later his night was over, after leaving the ground with an adductor injury.

High point

Watch AFL.com.au's tribute video to Fletcher which was produced this week and you will see the many ways Fletcher has been able to impact a contest with his seemingly extra-long limbs. It can be a lunge, a tackle, or even a flying boot in mid-air.

In the first term against the Tigers, the ball dribbled near Richmond's goal. McBean ran onto it and tried to dodge around Fletcher on the goal line, and thought he had gotten around him. But the wily defender managed to scrap it away from him and rush it through for a behind.

It was another example of Fletcher knowing the angles of the game better than most: he is efficient with his steps, and finds a way to cut off an opponent when it looks beyond him.

Low point

Fletcher ended his milestone game in the dreaded red substitute's vest and with his left groin being iced on the interchange bench. 

It was not the type of finale that befitted his big moment, with Fletcher running off the ground early in the fourth term and being replaced by young half-back Marty Gleeson.

Making things even sourer was Essendon's 13-point loss, which left the Bombers 4-5 after nine games and struggling to keep up with some of the top-four contenders on the ladder. 

Fletcher hasn't had much fun in milestones recently, either. In his 250th, 300th and 400th games the Bombers have been unable to lift for the occasion.

Dustin Fletcher watches on after being substituted with an adductor injury. Picture: AFL Media

The stats sheet

Fletcher's influence on a game has never been defined by the numbers, but he did have a quiet one against the Tigers.

He collected 10 disposals (only three Bombers gathered fewer), took two marks and had four rebound-50s. He did, however, record five one-percenters, which ranked second for the Bombers behind Michael Hurley's nine.

What they said in the rooms

Dustin Fletcher: "It was disappointing but that's the way it goes. The Tigers were too good." 

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick: "We were drafted the same year. He was a father-son [pick] obviously and I was at the highly regarded pick at No.87. I've been out of the game for 10 years. It's staggering. As funny as it was as a coaching move, we were trying to take him away from the ball. He just kept getting an arm in there. He's an incredible player, an incredible athlete and a great fella too. It's a credit to him and his family. I'm glad he played well and I'm glad we spoiled the party."

Tigers forward Liam McBean: "I just tried to play my role as a tall forward and tried to create a contest. I didn't really think about him too much, but obviously he's a really good defender and he's been around a long time. I think he got me on a couple and I think I got him on a few as well. I didn't want to get too overawed by the fact I was playing on him. I learned a lot from that experience."

Essendon midfielder Ben Howlett: "It's unreal (playing with him). I don't know how he goes, I feel old at the moment. He’s unbelievable, it’s a credit to him his professionalism and his ability to recover week in, week out. Everyone loves him around the club and he’s such a humble person. You couldn’t ask for a better bloke. The way he’s going, he’s one of our better players so I’d love to see him go around again, to be honest. You feel safe with him down there and he’s really great for Hooksy (Cale Hooker) and Hurls (Michael Hurley), he really complements them."

Essendon coach James Hird: "I think it was a great night for Dustin obviously, [reaching] 400 games. Hurting his groin late in the third quarter I think capped off an ordinary night in terms of our performance. Yeah, (it was) disappointing. We probably weren't going to sub 'Fletch'. We were going to leave Fletch on in his 400th game, but when we got that injury we pretty quickly made the decision to bring Fletch off and put Marty on."

How will he fare next week against Geelong?

There has to be some doubt Fletcher will line-up next week against the Cats after being taken out of the game. 

The Bombers have already managed him through the first half of the season, and he has missed two games to make sure he remains fit for the duration. It is hard to see them risking him in the short-term, particularly with the Bombers' bye looming in round 12. 

Whenever he does play next, Fletcher will no doubt enjoy the spotlight being shifted elsewhere. 

His next landmark game will come at No.404, when he surpasses Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett's standing for the second-most games in League history behind Michael Tuck's 426 games. 

Dustin Fletcher leads his side off the field. Picture: AFL Media