TAC Cup: Essendon father-son prospect Mason Fletcher draws comparisons to famous father Dustin

ESSENDON father-son prospect Mason Fletcher understands the comparisons to his dad Dustin.

MASON Fletcher understands the comparisons.

As the son of Essendon games record holder Dustin Fletcher, Bombers father-son prospect Mason has all the hallmarks of a long-term AFL defender.

He stands about 199cm, uses his long limbs to spoil effectively and has red and black running through his veins.

Sound familiar?

Those who saw Mason at Essendon training during pre-season could have been forgiven for thinking Dustin had made a comeback, such is the likeness between father and son. Dustin, a two-time premiership player, featured in his 400th and final match in 2015.

Seeing double? Mason Fletcher launches a kick forward for Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup. Picture: Andy Brownbill.

While his dad Dustin spent 400 games doing the same for Essendon. Picture: George Salpigtidis.

Such was his father’s longevity, Mason will likely land at Tullamarine as an AFL player only four years after his dad departed.

Mason estimates he attended about 200 of his dad’s AFL matches and gained experience he hopes will help his transition to the top level.

“It was always good to watch him, especially at the home games,” Mason said.

“And then head along to milestone games. We always got to go to them.”

Fletcher had an ideal mentor during his training stint at Essendon, fellow Calder Cannons father-son Joe Daniher.

Now one of the most dynamic forwards in the game, Daniher was drafted by the Bombers, where his dad Anthony played 118 games, with pick no. 10 in the 2012 AFL national draft.

“It was a bit daunting at first,” Mason said.

“First day I think I had lunch with Zach Merrett and Joe Daniher.

“Guys that I watched all of last year. I guess it was pretty daunting but you get used to it.”

Mason Fletcher has spent time training at Essendon. Picture: Getty Images.

Mason will divide his time between school footy with Penleigh and Essendon Grammar, TAC Cup at Calder and Essendon’s James Hird Academy this year.

While Bombers fans are salivating at the prospect of another Fletcher donning the sash, Mason has been reluctant to consider what following in his father’s footsteps would be like.

The 17-year-old, from East Keilor, said his dad was “fairly laid-back” and had given him simple advice on how to tackle the biggest year of his young life.

“He has just told me to tackle it head on and keep playing good footy,” he said.

An Aberfeldie junior, Mason said his younger brother Max had been getting “better and better” and would likely grow to be a key-position prospect in coming years.