Jump to content

Welcome to Demonland: Bayley Fritsch

What
What
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

First saw Fritsch play in the opening round this year at Williamstown.

Early in the first quarter someone took a strong pack mark. From the pack emerged this young beanpole. When he did it again shortly thereafter I looked up my trusty guernsey numbers as provided by KC to find out that the guy was called Fritsch.

Watched him at four or five other games and while mainly hoping for a break out game by the Weed I could not help but notice that this guy was always a chance for a mark and good goal.

Would be interesting to hear from others how he does tackle wise and when the ball is on the ground.

There seems to be little doubt that he is the top pick from the VFL for the coming draft. The only question is which club will blink first in fear that he may not get to their pick in the next round.

My guess is a late second rounder and if not he will be gone by the time our third round comes around.

Edited by Diamond_Jim

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     
    On 11/09/2017 at 5:30 PM, Drunkn167 said:

    The kid can play, gets some amazing hang time and for a smaller bloke is a great contested mark. For those saying he isn't good enough, you obviously did not watch a lot of VFL games this year because he is insanely talented.

    Put a couple of AFL pre seasons into him and when he fills out and puts on some weight he'll be a beast.

    Plus there's one thing about being drafted to the MFC that a lot might not realise, is that the club primarily go for 2 apsects in a bloke (apart from footy skills) This isn't speculation, I heard this come directly from Goodwin at the start of the season:

    1) They must have a huge want to play AFL and 2) have a great, friendly, likeable personality. Look at guys like Hannan, T.Smith and Keilty, came from tough pathways to get onto an AFL list (having to play VFL whilst working full time jobs) and have great personalities.

    Fritsch fits those aspects perfectly.

    Get him in.

    Could he play like milne?

    That would be handy!

  • Quote

    "There should be space for a medium to big sized 6"2 forward who can leap and take a mark with natural instinct" tonight after Dangerfields 5 goal first half. Could be applied to Fritsch perhaps? Obviously he's not a mid, but just recruiting decent players who have a natural goal instinct and building a dynamic around what you've got, rather than filling the forward line with utilities like Bugg, Harmes, ANB, Melk etc

    Edited by Deeprived Childhood

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     
    1 hour ago, Deeprived Childhood said:

    "There should be space for a medium to big sized 6"2 forward who can leap and take a mark with natural instinct" tonight after Dangerfields 5 goal first half. Could be applied to Fritsch perhaps? Obviously he's not a mid, but just recruiting decent players who have a natural goal instinct and building a dynamic around what you've got, rather than filling the forward line with utilities like Bugg, Harmes, ANB, Melk etc

    Petracca?

    Edited by Ethan Tremblay

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    2 hours ago, defuture15 said:

    Could he play like milne?

    That would be handy!

    He reminds me of Cameron Bruce.

  • Quote

    13 hours ago, Deeprived Childhood said:

    "There should be space for a medium to big sized 6"2 forward who can leap and take a mark with natural instinct" tonight after Dangerfields 5 goal first half. Could be applied to Fritsch perhaps? Obviously he's not a mid, but just recruiting decent players who have a natural goal instinct and building a dynamic around what you've got, rather than filling the forward line with utilities like Bugg, Harmes, ANB, Melk etc

    He may not be a starting mid, but he has rotated onto the wing and even on the ball a few times this year, adding more strings to his bow.

  • Quote
    14 hours ago, Deeprived Childhood said:

    "There should be space for a medium to big sized 6"2 forward who can leap and take a mark with natural instinct" tonight after Dangerfields 5 goal first half. Could be applied to Fritsch perhaps? Obviously he's not a mid, but just recruiting decent players who have a natural goal instinct and building a dynamic around what you've got, rather than filling the forward line with utilities like Bugg, Harmes, ANB, Melk etc

    according to casey site he is 6'1"  (186cm)

    he won't play afl based on his marking skills at that height (and weight). will need some other special skills at afl level

    just saying

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    Stood head and shoulders above many of our AFL listed players this year at Casey. Think he will be around the 40-50 mark in this years draft. 

    Edited by DaveyDee

  • Quote
    •  

    l can see Fritsch as a great pickup for the dees.There's more upside in this kid.

  • Quote

    Quoted from KC of Casey in the Jack Trengove win the Casey B & F thread.

    "The runner up (of the Casey B & F) was promising youngster Bayley Fritsch who also won the VFL's Fothergill–Round Medal for 2017 which is presented to the most promising young talent in the VFL competition."

    Great to read! I hope we can acquire him in the draft (before another club selects him).

  • Quote

    On 22/09/2017 at 9:34 AM, DaveyDee said:

    Stood head and shoulders above many of our AFL listed players this year at Casey. Think he will be around the 40-50 mark in this years draft. 

    It's a shallow draft, I think if he proves in testing that he can run like an AFL player that he goes in the 2nd round. Might be why we are trying to get an extra 2nd round pick.

  • Quote
    1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

    It's a shallow draft, I think if he proves in testing that he can run like an AFL player that he goes in the 2nd round. Might be why we are trying to get an extra 2nd round pick.

    Late second round or early third is my thinking.

    A stand out young VFL player ... he will be looked at by all clubs. Hard to see him slipping beyond the third round at the latest.

    The only question mark is whether he is too slight for AFL but from what I saw he has the goods. Also of course the Richmond win means that players like Fritsch may not be considered the model AFL footballer.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    3 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

    Late second round or early third is my thinking.

    A stand out young VFL player ... he will be looked at by all clubs. Hard to see him slipping beyond the third round at the latest.

    The only question mark is whether he is too slight for AFL but from what I saw he has the goods. Also of course the Richmond win means that players like Fritsch may not be considered the model AFL footballer.

    Which is why we set our own model. We should get him.

  • Quote

    Could this bloke play the Watts role?

    What is his field kicking like and decision making like? 

  • Quote
    22 hours ago, Stretch Johnson said:

    Could this bloke play the Watts role?

    What is his field kicking like and decision making like? 

    Fritsch: "What role am I playing today coach?"

    Goodwin: "Well today we are playing [insert team name here] so I want you to be booed and sworn out by all their supporters and a vocal and vociferous minority of your own supporters too. If you do well you can expect the same treatment next week and the week after that. Expect to be pilloried in  the media and your own Club will admit your mere presence puts them under pressure. 

    You will run the game out to the end but I will infer to the press that your preparation was lacking. All your teammates will make fundamental school boy errors; failing to kick to targets 20 metres away, handball to players feet and missing goals from 35m out but we are setting new standards now and elite finishing skills are so very 2016 which was, coincidentally, when we signed you to that 3 year (non binding) contract. 

    Fritsch: "Oh, I’m playing the Watts role"

  • Quote
    • Like 4
    • Love 2
    • Haha 1

    cutting but so true fn dee.

    On Fritsch .. I have seen him about five times and while I have seen his marking impact I have not noticed him breaking away etc into space. Not to say he cannot (does not) do it but at VFL level the game seems to me to be a lot scrappier and less open than AFL games.

    I am no expert but I liken him in my mind to Gunston. A good goal kicker who knows how to position himself.

    His repeated pack marks are very "un Watts" like of course.

  • Quote
    1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

    cutting but so true fn dee.

    On Fritsch .. I have seen him about five times and while I have seen his marking impact I have not noticed him breaking away etc into space. Not to say he cannot (does not) do it but at VFL level the game seems to me to be a lot scrappier and less open than AFL games.

    I am no expert but I liken him in my mind to Gunston. A good goal kicker who knows how to position himself.

    His repeated pack marks are very "un Watts" like of course.

    and given his size are unlikely to be repeated at afl level

    it won't be his pack marking that will decide if he plays afl

  • Quote

    If give up too much hope of getting Fritsch.

    It'd be like Bulldogs supporters last year expecting to get Hannan.

  • Quote
    • Haha 1
    2 hours ago, Mach5 said:

    If give up too much hope of getting Fritsch.

    It'd be like Bulldogs supporters last year expecting to get Hannan.

    Hey Mach.   What about Darcy Lang? 

  • Quote

    On 8 October 2017 at 5:54 PM, Stretch Johnson said:

    Hey Mach.   What about Darcy Lang? 

    Don't mind him, but a fringe player and I don't think he'll ever be anything more. Could be a solid role player.

  • Quote
    On 10/7/2017 at 12:26 PM, Stretch Johnson said:

    Could this bloke play the Watts role?

    What is his field kicking like and decision making like? 

    Why play the Watts role when you have a Watts to play that roll?

  • Quote
    • Sad 1
     

    Now that we have an extra 2nd round pick courtesy of the Lever trade, is there a chance one may be used to secure Fritsch in the draft, while the other could still be used in a trade?

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    10 hours ago, hardtack said:

    Now that we have an extra 2nd round pick courtesy of the Lever trade, is there a chance one may be used to secure Fritsch in the draft, while the other could still be used in a trade?

    I reckon we will use 27 or 35 to take Fritsch. Based on what I have seen he is worth either of those picks. It will just be a matter of where we believed he will be picked, and are other sides interested in him. I suspect teams will be interested in him but not speaking to him - and will just take him. I wouldn't be against us using 27 on Fritsch, but believe its more likely he probably goes at 35

  • Quote
    • Like 3

    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
    Reply to this topic...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • PREVIEW: Essendon

      As the focus of the AFL moves exclusively to South Australia for Gather Round, the question is raised as to what are we going to get from the  Melbourne Football Club this weekend? Will it be a repeat of the slop fest of the last three weeks that have seen the team score a measly 174 points and concede 310 or will a return to the City of Churches and the scene where they performed at their best in 2024 act as a wakeup call and bring them out of their early season reverie?  Or will the sleepy Dees treat their fans to a reenactment of their lazy effort from the first Gather Round of two years ago when they allowed the Bombers to trample all over them on a soggy and wet Adelaide Oval? The two examples from above tell us how fickle form can be in football. Last year, a committed group of players turned up in Adelaide with a businesslike mindset. They had a plan, went in confidently and hard for the football and kicked winning scores against both home teams in a difficult environment for visitors. And they repeated that sort of effort later in the season when they played Essendon at the MCG.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: Essendon

      Facing the very real and daunting prospect of starting the season with five straight losses, the Demons head to South Australia for the annual Gather Round, where they’ll take on the Bombers in search of their first win of the year. Who comes in, and who comes out?

        • Like
      • 466 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: Round 05

      Gather Round is here, kicking off with a Thursday night blockbuster as Adelaide faces Geelong. The Crows will be out for redemption after a controversial loss last week. Saturday starts with the Magpies taking on the Swans. Collingwood will be eager to cement their spot in the top eight, while Sydney is hot on their heels. In the Barossa Valley, two rising sides go head-to-head in a fascinating battle to prove they're the real deal. Later, Carlton and West Coast face off at Adelaide Oval, both desperate to notch their first win of the season. The action then shifts to Norwood, where the undefeated Lions will aim to keep their streak alive against the Bulldogs. Sunday’s games begin in the Barossa with Richmond up against Fremantle. In Norwood, the Saints will be looking to take a scalp when they come up against the Giants. The round concludes with a fiery rematch of last year's semi-final, as the Hawks seek revenge for their narrow loss to Port Adelaide. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons besides us winning?

        • Haha
      • 120 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Geelong

      There was a time in the second quarter of the game at the Cattery on Friday afternoon when the Casey Demons threatened to take the game apart against the Cats. The Demons had been well on top early but were struggling to convert their ascendancy over the ground until Tom Fullarton’s burst of three goals in the space of eight minutes on the way to a five goal haul and his best game for the club since arriving from Brisbane at the end of 2023. He was leading, marking and otherwise giving his opponents a merry dance as Casey grabbed a three goal lead in the blink of an eye. Fullarton has now kicked ten goals in Casey’s three matches and, with Melbourne’s forward conversion woes, he is definitely in with a chance to get his first game with the club in next week’s Gather Round in Adelaide. Despite the tall forward’s efforts - he finished with 19 disposals and eight marks and had four hit outs as back up to Will Verrall in the second half - it wasn’t enough as Geelong reigned in the lead through persistent attacks and eventually clawed their way to the lead early in the last and held it till they achieved the end aim of victory.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Geelong

      I was disappointed to hear Goody say at his post match presser after the team’s 39 point defeat against Geelong that "we're getting high quality entry, just poor execution" because Melbourne’s problems extend far beyond that after its 0 - 4 start to the 2025 football season. There are clearly problems with poor execution, some of which were evident well before the current season and were in play when the Demons met the Cats in early May last year and beat them in a near top-of-the-table clash that saw both sides sitting comfortably in the top four after round eight. Since that game, the Demons’ performances have been positively Third World with only five wins in 19 games with a no longer majestic midfield and a dysfunctional forward line that has become too easy for opposing coaches to counter. This is an area of their game that is currently being played out as if they were all completely panic-stricken.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: Round 04

      Round 4 kicks off with a blockbuster on Thursday night as traditional rivals Collingwood and Carlton clash at the MCG, with the Magpies looking to assert themselves as early-season contenders and the Blues seeking their first win of the season. Saturday opens with Gold Coast hosting Adelaide, a key test for the Suns as they aim to back up their big win last week, while the Crows will be looking to keep their perfect record intact. Reigning wooden spooners Richmond have the daunting task of facing reigning premiers Brisbane at the ‘G and the Lions will be eager to reaffirm their premiership credentials after a patchy start. Saturday night sees North Melbourne take on Sydney at Marvel Stadium, with the Swans looking to build on their first win of the season last week against a rebuilding Roos outfit. Sunday’s action begins with GWS hosting West Coast at ENGIE Stadium, a game that could get ugly very early for the visitors. Port Adelaide vs St Kilda at Adelaide Oval looms as a interesting clash, with both clubs form being very hard to read. The round wraps up with Fremantle taking on the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium in what could be a fierce contest between two sides with top-eight ambitions. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons besides us winning?

        • Like
      • 273 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All