WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - BAYLEY FRITSCH

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,443]

7 hours ago, Webber said:

Never was. Frustrated the hell out of me that he wasn’t played forward in 2018. I love that Goody has publicly owned this as ‘poor coaching’….humility is a big part of his coaching brand.

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, I seem to recall Fritsch played in the back half out of necessity because we had so many injured defenders at the time. 

[DeeZone 7,773]

Are there enough superlatives for this man Fritsch he has etched his name in the history books, 6 goals in a Granny. He was awesome he turned the game when it needed to be turned, a true Hero of the MFC and we had plenty on Saturday night, I guess that was the difference they had one and we had many.!!💕💙❤️

[Dante 2,562]

There are some players that make it seem so easy and he is one go them. Doesn't get flustered and just performs at the same level week after week.

He looks the least likely to be a key forward, because of his size but he seems to be able to handle the big and slow or the smaller and fast backs.

[Crompton's the man 635]

On 11/26/2017 at 6:19 AM, Clint Bizkit said:

He will be a better forward than Watts.

That’s a big call 

 

but time may prove you right 

[sisso 2,388]

Can think of too many blokes we’ve had over the last 20 years who are as natural a goalkicker as Bayley….maybe the Wizard or Liam Jurrah (briefly) that’s about it

[John Crow Batty 8,255]

5 hours ago, Jontee said:

Would he be the skinniest player ever to kick 6 in a GF?

I believe Kevin Bartlett in 1980 who kicked 7 was just as skinny if not skinnier.  

[Sir Why You Little 34,528]

On 6/30/2020 at 9:27 AM, old dee said:

He is a good player but he is not KPF and never will be.

Really? :)

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

On 11/26/2017 at 6:19 AM, Clint Bizkit said:

He will be a better forward than Watts.

One call I actually got right.

[durango 1,979]

His marking is elite for a man of his size and stature

[BrisbaneDemon 1,499]

Amazing year by Fritta!
 

I don’t think Bayley Fritsch will be getting out many quotes over the next few weeks….

would have been nice to put a bet on that he’d kick 4+

[Pates 9,537]

Fritta’s transformation into the player he is has been a really interesting ride because he’s one that doesn’t come from the traditional drafting system straight from U18’s. When he came to us he had talent and looked a good pick but the question was whether he would be anything but decent. He’s had his struggles, inaccuracy being one he’s had to overcome, but boy he has become something really special. 

Him kicking that goal and pointing to his jumper is one of my favourite GF moments. 

[DeeSpencer 23,147]

9 hours ago, Webber said:

Never was. Frustrated the hell out of me that he wasn’t played forward in 2018. I love that Goody has publicly owned this as ‘poor coaching’….humility is a big part of his coaching brand.

I don’t believe it was though. Fritsch started his career forward, looked talented but still flaky. Defensively did little.

He gave us something on the wing when we didn’t have wingers, then moved back when Lever was out and we needed some intercept.

We had Melksham, Petracca and Hannan as medium forwards, plus Tommy and Hogan in great form and Fritsch could develop his game in roles where we needed talent.

It took too long in 2019 to move him back forward when we needed the help there. But we were also completely desperate for wingers and tried about a dozen options that didn’t work. So I won’t hold that against Goody. 

If anything I’d like to see Fritsch moved up the ground more often next year. Teams will put a lot of work in to stopping him. It won’t hurt to add some versatility back to his game. 

[Nascent 7,288]

On 9/27/2021 at 12:27 PM, John Crow Batty said:

I don’t believe I have ever seen a player crumb his own failed speccy attempt for a goal. Must have happened but can’t recall seeing any.

Not quite a crumb but I instantly thought of this.

 

[Maldonboy38 5,909]

Fritsch has always looked a genuine footballer - but it took the Dees getting Brown before the team balance in the forward line clicked into place. With backlines trying to figure out how to cover Brown, McDonald, ANB, Spargo and Kozzie, Fritsch has not been given enough planning. He has got off the leash and gone bang. I just love his kick-and-mark game. Only needs 10 disposals to destroy an opposition. 

[dee-tox 4,827]

52 minutes ago, Pates said:

When he came to us he had talent and looked a good pick but the question was whether he would be anything but decent.

I'm not so sure about this. 

I always had very high hopes. At Casey he stood out like you know what.  The skills were natural. He made marking look easy, a graceful left foot , good football nous and was quick enough. Knowing his father pretty well I knew he had a bit of mongrel too. 

Sometimes clubs try and make players something their not to plug holes. When Goodwin let Fritta be Fritta in the forward line he started improving every game. 

[John Crow Batty 8,255]

Fritsch never got much credit for his goal kicking prowess because many goals look like he got them too easily. Like he needs to kick two to equate to someone else’s one. On GF day three were from easy uncontested marks that a child could have taken on the field. His skills are his quick reactions and ability to find space before his opponent realises he’s moved. Something ethereal in the way he moves. His superb one touch gathering and clean marking also makes it look like he’s under no pressure at all. There is a touch of Robert Flower in the way he plays. Robert Flower in his final season was our leading goal kicker in our breakout 1987 season and played exactly like Fritsch does now. 

Edited September 29, 2021 by John Crow Batty

[Emerald 1,705]

2 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

One call I actually got right.

I remember in 2017 when Watts got dropped and played in a 2 man forward line at Casey with Fritsch. Watts scored 1.2 and Fritsch scored 4.0. It was pretty obvious to me too after that game.

[Pates 9,537]

18 minutes ago, dee-tox said:

I'm not so sure about this. 

I always had very high hopes. At Casey he stood out like you know what.  The skills were natural. He made marking look easy, a graceful left foot , good football nous and was quick enough. Knowing his father pretty well I knew he had a bit of mongrel too. 

Sometimes clubs try and make players something their not to plug holes. When Goodwin let Fritta be Fritta in the forward line he started improving every game. 

I think for me we traded Watts and Fritta was the one who we ended up with from the pick, I’d seen some of how he’d played at Casey and thought the talent and footy smarts were there but wasn’t sure if he would follow through on his Casey form. 

I will also say his kicking last year drove me nuts at times, I think the most annoying part was I could tell he had a good action he just needed a little adjusting. 

[low flying Robbo 979]

I remember watching him dominate up forward for Casey back before we drafted him. His marking skills were ridiculous for a skinny kid.

[Jaded No More 58,035]

2 hours ago, Nascent said:

Not quite a crumb but I instantly thought of this.

 

I can finally look back on these old videos when our team was so full of terrible players (Davey was a star!), and not feel bad because we won a premiership. 
Jurrah was so good and Fritta does move very similarly. He is so light on his feet but he never goes to ground. 

[Webber 10,073]

3 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

I don’t believe it was though. Fritsch started his career forward, looked talented but still flaky. Defensively did little.

He gave us something on the wing when we didn’t have wingers, then moved back when Lever was out and we needed some intercept.

We had Melksham, Petracca and Hannan as medium forwards, plus Tommy and Hogan in great form and Fritsch could develop his game in roles where we needed talent.

It took too long in 2019 to move him back forward when we needed the help there. But we were also completely desperate for wingers and tried about a dozen options that didn’t work. So I won’t hold that against Goody. 

If anything I’d like to see Fritsch moved up the ground more often next year. Teams will put a lot of work in to stopping him. It won’t hurt to add some versatility back to his game. 

Injuries or otherwise, lack of wingers or not, Goody has admitted it was a mistake to play him as anything but a forward. Not my words, they’re his. I imagine they did so because he is such a natural mover and beautiful, long field kick. Wanted to use him as a defence to forward distributor, as Salem/Bowey now do. As to his versatility, he’s a natural ball-finder, as Goody has also admitted. He moved up the ground well this year when called for. 

Edited September 29, 2021 by Webber

[Winners at last 4,742]

Legends are made from finals performances, particularly in Grand Finals.

 

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

9 hours ago, dee-tox said:

I'm not so sure about this. 

I always had very high hopes. At Casey he stood out like you know what.  The skills were natural. He made marking look easy, a graceful left foot , good football nous and was quick enough. Knowing his father pretty well I knew he had a bit of mongrel too. 

Sometimes clubs try and make players something their not to plug holes. When Goodwin let Fritta be Fritta in the forward line he started improving every game. 

In his interview on On The Couch Goodwin admitted moving Fritsch to the backline and won’t was a huge mistake by him.

It was refreshing to hear.

[Mach5 4,482]

When he was drafted, I recall questioning the selection as I didn’t think we needed to select him that early in the draft. To think I would have risked another club claiming such a talent.

Bravo Fritta.

[Demon17 4,573]

12 hours ago, durango said:

His marking is elite for a man of his size and stature

188cm (6ft 2) and 84.  He's a good size still, but superb leap and in the air, but strong hands also helps.

Tricky match up.