MCG set for war Fletcher will know in the middle

From Page 25 when it’s time to go exercise, the comparison is based on their respect- ive form from the start of AFTER 350 top-flight games, 2011, or from a time when durable defender Dustin Murphy seriously entered Fletcher will be allowed to the elite level. call time on his own career, David King is a dual according to Essendon coach premiership player with . North who And Fletcher, who will be now works as a football 37 next month, has not ruled analyst with out drawing the curtains at and SEN. the end of this season. ‘‘Of that quartet Pend- He won’t be aiming for the lebury would be my No.1, record of 426 held by Haw- and part of that is the fact thorn’s . he just doesn’t play badly ‘‘I can nearly say 400 is out in big games,’’ King said. of the question,’’ Fletcher ‘‘On the other hand, PUB: said yesterday. Swan has been a little bit The ever-present backman off this year and I some- will play his 350th game times wonder if we give TNEWS NT against Gold Coast tomor- him more credit than row, focused, as always, on we should. the game at hand and not the ‘‘Murphy has obviously personal milestone. taken his game to a new Fletcher readily admits he level, playing instinctive has never been comfortable football and running so in the media spotlight and well with a Boomer Har-

DATE: has played in a business-like vey-like follow-up where way below the radar since he sometimes gets two joining the Bombers way possessions in one play. back in 1993. ‘‘So right now I have

13-APR-2012 But he has taken on the Pendlebury magnificent, best forwards in the game — the Carlton pair terrific , Jason Dun- and a question mark stall, Gary Ablett, Tony on Swan.’’ Modra — and beaten them. Interestingly for sheer Fletcher was described by consistency, the younger Hird as ‘‘incredible’’. players of both clubs, ‘‘His ability to beat the best Pendlebury and Murphy, players early in his career, in have been the standouts PAGE: the middle of his career and with both rarely playing late in his career has been what you could deem an spectacular,’’ Hird said. average game. Fletcher’s ability to man- On the other hand, both 28 age his own fitness has been Judd and Swan hit flat the key to his longevity. spots in 2011, the former

COLOR: ‘‘Just having the ability to at the end of the season enjoy football . . . I’ve never and the latter before a been the hardest trainer but I mercy dash to Arizona think I do enough training mid-season. and I know my own body and Collingwood coach what I need to do to get the had his

C job done,’’ he said. say on the midfield battle ‘‘Still having the pace to yesterday. He said the M get to contests has helped me, Pies would be looking far

Y so they are the main things.’’ beyond simply shutting Hird described Fletcher as down Judd or Murphy K ‘‘the ultimate professional, when designing a mid- because he understands his field battle plan. body’’. ‘‘Some players go to ‘‘There’s a lot of focus hard — they go too far — but on Judd and Murphy but Fletcher’s best aptitude is (Kade) Simpson, (Heath) that he knows when he can Scotland, blokes that have play and when he can’t play gone through there, Car- and when he can and can’t razzo has been excellent train — and that’s a great in his role, so there’s a trait to have,’’ Hird said. great deal of talent there He said Fletcher had al- Essendon coach James Hird with backman , who will play his 350th game tomorrow. Picture: GEORGE SALPIGTIDIS to consider,’’ he said. ways been a key part of his ‘‘You fight fire with fire team since he took over the his body’s right and he wants who earn the right to make lieves marks like his will be footy’s played now, if you can in many ways. I’ll back coaching job. to keep playing, I think he’s the decision but he’s earned achievable. do your little bit in the team, our midfield against ‘‘It will be a very sad day got a long time left in the that right,’’ he said. ‘‘There’s no doubt the I don’t think there’s as much there’s, but there’ll be the day he doesn’t play for game.’’ Hird said the decis- While the speed of the game’s tough and it’s prob- pressure on guys these days specific tactics that we Essendon,’’ Hird said. ion to quit would be ‘‘totally’’ game and the pressure on ably getting even tougher in to take a game by (the) scruff will be using . . . We’ll find ‘‘Whether he plays next up to Fletcher. players’ bodies have in- some respects,’’ he said. of the neck by themselves, to out tomorrow who’s bet- year, or two years, as long as ‘‘There’s not many people creased, Fletcher still be- ‘‘Then again, the way win the game.’’ ter on the night.’’ Week a long time in SuperCoach, so don’t burn trades early

By JACKSON CLARK mine whether you are going during the latter stages of the players or trade them out. ing high. Have faith in the week. James ‘‘The Magnet’’ for a league win or trying to year. This is because players Trading a struggling high- players you picked from the Magner from Melbourne is a THIS week has the potential score as high as possible in are more likely to miss priced player to a rookie can start and try to avoid jump- rookie everyone should to make or break your the overall rankings. matches, either through net you plenty of cash that ing the gun too early. A week have, with GWS youngster SuperCoach season. Trades are invaluable in injury or being rested. can be used for upgrades is a long time in fantasy Toby Greene another good It is the final week before this game and it is important Trading before the price later in the season. footy, as seen with Brian midfield rookie option. the players have a price to keep track of how many adjustments can be useful to This strategy would be Lake’s improvement from Shane Mumford’s late change and there are a num- you are using. rectify any selection mis- handy for those after a league his round one score of 30 to withdrawal on the weekend ber of trading strategies that Avoid burning all your takes you may have made. win while those chasing his 110 against the Crows. brings me to another point. should be considered. trades at the start of the You will need to make a overall status could consider If you missed the boat on a Make sure you pick three Before deciding on a strat- season because it is vital to decision whether to persist a straight swap to premium high-scoring rookie, con- emergencies and a vice- egy, it is important to deter- have some up your sleeve with underperforming players who have been scor- sider trading them in this captain every week.

28 NT NEWS. Friday, April 13, 2012. www.ntnews.com.au