FREAKINESS isn't always a trait prized by humans, and those that have it tend to make their living in circus side-shows rather than major sporting arenas.

But the freakiness of Essendon's Dustin Fletcher, who played his 350th AFL match in a manner very similar to way he played his first, is another matter.

His freakiness is the ability to reach where no one else can, make spoils no one else can make.

That he has displayed his freakish talent for 20 seasons is perhaps the freakiest thing of all: time simply does not seem to touch him.

"He is a freak", Essendon coach James Hird said of his veteran backman after the narrow win over Gold Coast on Saturday night.

"He reads the play so well and he's got good speed … He's been doing it for 350 games and hopefully he's got another 50 left in him."

Few who saw him produce the kind of goal-saving feats he displayed in the last quarter against the Suns would doubt that. And these are just the kind of attributes that keep Fletcher as relevant in 2012 as he ever was in the so-called halcyon days.

"He's done it for the last three weeks - he keeps producing in that last quarter," said Hird.

At the other end of the ground, Stewart Crameri stole the stats with five goals but Hird was just as keen on the contribution of Michael Hurley.

The key position player has been used at both ends of the park in his career to date, but Hird conceded he is most dangerous when in range of the sticks.

"I think we need him there," he said.

"The conditions didn't suit him [tonight, but] he's building as a very good forward .  He took a couple of marks in that last quarter and was terrific.

"Sometimes those big forwards, they don't always get the marks but they are a focal point and the ball comes to the front. He was great at that tonight."