Bomber Veterans Dustin Fletcher and Scott Lucas have re-signed one-year contracts with the club, ensuring they will see out their careers in the black and red.


30-year-old Lucas has penned a new contract, with the option of a second year, which will be discussed mid-way through next year.

Fletcher's deal will more than likely see the lanky defender end his illustrious career at the end of the 2009 season. But Fletcher could even go beyond into 2010 if he feels the urge to continue playing.

"This is really good news for us - between Scott and Dustin they have over 500 games of AFL experience," chief operating officer Travis Auld on Essendon's club website.

"Both are best and fairest winners, both are premiership players and they are very important to this club."

"It's becoming common practice nowadays with AFL clubs that as players come to the latter part of their career they go on one-year deals and they might end up having two or three seasons of one-year deals, and Scott understands that," he said.

"He had a good talk to the coach and we committed to Scott that midway through next year we will start talking to him (about his next contract).

"We're certainly not going to hang him out until late next year before we start discussions and he's happy and we are happy, and there is no reason why he can't play for at least a couple more years."


Lucas and Fletcher's signings follow a recent spate of fellow Bombers signing new deals to remain at the club, including Jobe Watson and David Hille.