Mason Fletcher won't be drafted by Essendon this year. In fact he won't be drafted by anyone.

The Bombers father-son candidate has opted not to nominate for this year's draft after an injury-cruelled 2018 season, and will instead look to consolidate his game with another year in the TAC Cup. Fletcher, the son of Essendon games record-holder Dustin Fletcher, has a pencil-like build similar to that of his father, and like his dad is a tall defender.

Essendon great Dustin Fletcher retired in 2015. Credit:Pat Scala

However, whereas Dustin played in the Dons' fabled 1993 premiership in year 12, Mason's football in final year of high school was over by May because of lower back stress fractures. Having been monitored for several years by Bombers list chief Adrian Dodoro and his recruiting team as a member of the club's father-son academy, Mason has long been touted as a likely late or rookie selection. But after discussions between the Bombers, the Fletcher family and Mason's manager Adam Ramanauskas, a premiership teammate of Dustin, it was decided that the 18-year-old wouldn't put his name into the pool for this year's draft.

The plan, as long as his body is right, is for Fletcher to spend 2019 as an over-age player with the Calder Cannons, and perhaps play some VFL games with Essendon. Fletcher will retain his father-son status, hopeful of being drafted by the Bombers in 12 months' time.