Fremantle senior coach Ross Lyon says the fact that 40-year-old Essendon defender Dustin Fletcher is still playing is a wonderful achievement.
 
Fletcher turned 40 on Thursday is now just three games short of a remarkable 400 in red and black.
 
Lyon worked closely with Fletcher during last year’s International Rules series and said he was a professional.
 
“He’s pretty special,” he said.
 
“He’s an opposition player but I think we can all acknowledge it’s a wonderful achievement.”
 
Lyon said his career was testament that AFL players can break the mould and still fit in.
 
“Everyone wants to label people and write their story; he would have been retired six years ago, if convention played a part,” he said.
 
“It’s good to see people buck convention and conservative views.”