THE EXPERIENCE, guile and all-round footy smarts of Essendon champion Dustin Fletcher are placed under the microscope by Matthew Richardson on AFL.com.au in this week's episode of The Whiteboard.

Richardson marveled at the longevity of the Bomber defender, who has already announced plans to run around again in 2013 for what will be his 21st season.

"I can't believe a guy as old as I am is still playing league football," said Richardson. "He defies the theory that this game is dominated by younger, fitter athletes."

Click here to view Fletcher's career stats

According to Richardson, the key to Fletcher's game is a technique honed in his younger days spent learning the craft against 'monster' forwards such as Tony Lockett, Jason Dunstall and Stephen Kernahan.

"He developed the technique of not getting into too many wrestles and using his long arms and his huge height.

"He's top 10 in the competition for defensive spoils and he has been doing it for 20 years now."

Richardson added that Fletcher uses his experience to punish younger forwards who run into the wrong spaces. He says he remains one of the best intercept defenders in the league and swiftly turns defence into attack.

You can watch the full episode of The Whiteboard by clicking here.

The Whiteboard appears every Thursday on AFL.com.au.