2019 Player Reviews: #31 Bayley Fritsch

[Demonland 73,140]

The versatile utility grew in stature at the club and played in every game in 2019 across the defence, wing and up forward where he never let the team down. Finished the season strongly to place sixth in the Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy.

 

Date of Birth: 6 December, 1996

Height: 188 cm

Weight: 82 kg

 

Games MFC 2019: 22

Career Total: 45

 

Goals MFC 2019: 20

Career Total: 37

 

Votes 2019 Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy: 230 votes (sixth)

[Kent 2,914]

Shining Light for the future.

Love his skills and endeavour. Will have a great year 2020 and beyond.

Still cant work out why he was played back before the bye.

Anyway hope he becomes part of a disciplined effective forward line 30 plus goals is realistic.

[poita 3,902]

I get the idea of teaching a young player new skills and roles, but the timing of Fritsch's move to the backline was just atrocious. Not only did he move back without the benefit of playing alongside May & Jetta, but it left the forward line horribly undermanned at the same time.

Thankfully Goodwin didn't completely destroy his confidence and Bayley was able to make a strong contribution late in the year when back in the forward line. He is certainly capable of kicking 30 goals or more next year (and will probably need to given that we didn't recruit any key forwards in the trade period).

[Deeoldfart 8,061]

One of a very few highlights in an otherwise dreadful season for me.  He's a forward, and a star in the making, if we can get a couple of marking forwards up and running, to take the heat off him.

[Demonland 73,140]

Check out the marking stats when he was moved forward.

 

[DeeZone 10,107]

That was some year from Bayley, I believe that he can develop into something really special for MFC, attitude and behaviors remind me of a young Robbie Flower. So happy to have him on board..............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dee Watcher 71]

Great debut season playing mainly up forward then for some reason Goody & Co put him down back? 

Its clear he is a natural forward and a pretty good mark so surely he has found a spot as our mid sized forward who could kick 30+ goals next year.

[Deemania since 56 6,717]

8 hours ago, poita said:

I get the idea of teaching a young player new skills and roles, but the timing of Fritsch's move to the backline was just atrocious. Not only did he move back without the benefit of playing alongside May & Jetta, but it left the forward line horribly undermanned at the same time.

Thankfully Goodwin didn't completely destroy his confidence and Bayley was able to make a strong contribution late in the year when back in the forward line. He is certainly capable of kicking 30 goals or more next year (and will probably need to given that we didn't recruit any key forwards in the trade period).

This was one helluva stuff-up by Goodwin that we tolerated ... 

[Diamond_Jim 12,628]

Played down back by Goodwin and then dropped from a winning side for the prelim.

Goodwin is a master tactician as we all well know

[JakovichScissorKick 771]

I just looked up his season stats

The 2nd game after being moved forward he had 22 possessions ,14 marks and 4 goals against West Coast

This kid is going to be an amazing player

[monoccular 17,573]

Absolutely agree that Bailey is a forward through and through. 

I believe the justification for sending him back in 2019 was said to be a dearth of other defensive options.  However he didn’t play as a natural defender and his absence forward was sorely felt. 

Perhaps on very tiny, minute glimmer of silver lining could be that time spent in defence sometimes helps in forwards’ development.

Certainly looking forward to watching him in a full season as a forward 

[Diamond_Jim 12,628]

9 hours ago, monoccular said:

I believe the justification for sending him back in 2019 was said to be a dearth of other defensive options.  However he didn’t play as a natural defender and his absence forward was sorely felt. 

It started in 2018. Can't remember when.

He was the fall guy for Gunston's 3 goals 8 in the finals

[58er 6,565]

Bailey is a special talent and is a potential match winner up forward.

We all look forward to his further development (more goals on  the run and consistent penetration with his kicking) which will enable him to be one of the elite players in the game.

if in front of goals all season then 40 goals is a great possibility and that could be just whAt we need to make up for Jesses 50!

[ManDee 7,222]

On 10/26/2019 at 2:09 AM, 58er said:

Bailey is a special talent and is a potential match winner up forward.

We all look forward to his further development (more goals on  the run and consistent penetration with his kicking) which will enable him to be one of the elite players in the game.

if in front of goals all season then 40 goals is a great possibility and that could be just whAt we need to make up for Jesses 50!

Would that be the 50 that Jesse never kicked?

[monoccular 17,573]

On 10/25/2019 at 11:43 AM, monoccular said:

Absolutely agree that Bailey is a forward through and through. 

I believe the justification for sending him back in 2019 was said to be a dearth of other defensive options.  However he didn’t play as a natural defender and his absence forward was sorely felt. 

Perhaps on very tiny, minute glimmer of silver lining could be that time spent in defence sometimes helps in forwards’ development.

Certainly looking forward to watching him in a full season as a forward 

PS: I meant to mention that I find him the most exciting #31 since that guy who migrated to Carlton in 1964 - there have been quite a few more hyped, but IMO none as exciting.