Fletcher out of big clash
19/07/2008 2:43 PM
Essendon has suffered a huge blow ahead of its season-defining clash with Richmond at the MCG on Saturday with champion defender Dustin Fletcher a late withdrawal.
Forgotten full-back Mal Michael has been brought back into the Bombers' line-up for the first time since Round 8 at the expense of Fletcher.
The loss of Fletcher, who is fresh from keeping superstar Lions forward Daniel Bradshaw to four goals last week, could prove a decisive one with Richmond's budding key forwards Jack Riewoldt and Cleve Hughes proving to be a handful in recent times.
Michael, a triple premiership player with the Brisbane Lions, is arguably playing for his career on Saturday having been out of favour at Windy Hill for two months now with the likes of Fletcher, Paddy Ryder and Nathan Lovett-Murray handed the key defensive roles in that time.
Richmond has also made a late change to its selected team for Saturday's clash with Daniel Connors making way for key defender Will Thursfield.
It was initially thought that Saturday's game would be played in wet conditions, but the young Tiger will now play a pivotal role in taking either one of Scott Lucas, Matthew Lloyd, Jay Neagle or even Adam McPhee.