Fletcher's AFL chances remain unclear

Sunday's season-ending game against Collingwood is also expected to be Dustin Fletcher's last chance for an AFL appearance.

Essendon remain unsure whether Dustin Fletcher will play this Sunday in what is expected to be his last opportunity for an AFL match.

The 40-year-old will most likely retire once the Bombers' season ends against Collingwood this weekend.

He has struggled to overcome a groin injury since his 400th game in round nine.

"(Dustin) is a lot better - his biggest problem is he hasn't done many k's," club doctor Bruce Reid told the Essendon website.

"He's out there training a bit today.

"We'll see how he is."

Reid said the No.1 issue will be Fletcher's own opinion on whether the defender should play.

"The biggest problem for Fletch is that he won't play if he doesn't think he can play well," he said.

"But he's still keen.

"We'll see how he is - he hasn't done the work."

While Fletcher's epic AFL career is on the verge of ending, Reid said he still wants to play on the international rules tour.

"Of course, he wants to stay fit because he still has dreams of being the goalie when he's 40-odd in Ireland later this year," he said.

"So he's working hard."

Fletcher is fourth on the AFL career games tally behind Michael Tuck (Hawthorn, 426 games), North Melbourne's Brent Harvey (405) and Kevin Bartlett (Richmond, 403).

Reid added that defender Michael Hibbert will likely miss Sunday's game after he aggravated patella tendonitis in a knee.

The Bombers are unsure about David Myers, who is recovering from a back injury.


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Source: AAP


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