Dustin Fletcher’s dad has tipped the Essendon veteran will become the third member of the AFL 400-game club and says his son should play until he drops.

The 368-game defender expects to return from a groin injury against Geelong at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Fletcher, who turns 38 on Tuesday and was third in Essendon’s best and fairest award last season, needs 10 more games to equal Simon Madden’s club record.

But his dad Ken, who played 264 games for the Bombers, expects him to go well beyond that.

“If he doesn’t get injured and he keeps keen I honestly believe he could make 400 and be the third one ever,” Ken Fletcher said on Saturday.

“Whether or not he wants to do it, that’s up to Dustin.

“But it’s how he involves himself with the club and helps the younger ones and if he’s still getting a game and he’s worthy of a game, I think he should play until he drops.”

Hawthorn’s Michael Tuck (426 games) and Richmond’s Kevin Bartlett (403) are the VFL/AFL’s only 400-gamers.

The defender himself said he would continue while he kept enjoying the game and remained in good physical shape, although chasing records was not a priority.

“But you always get reminded that 378 (is Essendon’s record) and Bartlett and Tuck are up over 400 but we’ll see how we go in the next eight to 10 games,” he said

Speaking at an Essendon pre-game function alongside his son, Ken Fletcher also took a shot at David Cloke, father and part-time manager of Collingwood star Travis, when jokingly asked if he was acting as Fletcher’s manager.

“I’m not like Clokey’s old man, he’s a real worry,” Ken Fletcher said.

“Why that bloke held the club to ransom annoys me but it’s got nothing to do with me.”

Cloke was last year given a five-year deal by the Magpies after a long stand-off with the club.