Bayley Fritsch

[Little Goffy 12,507]

Playing the role expected of him. People might like him better if they convinced themselves he was a 202cm beanpole forward and adjusted expectations accordingly!

I can only offer a gut feel for it but I think he actually works pretty hard with repeat runs and a lot of time moving at more than just a jog in order to work himself loose from opposition defences. Total goals kicked is one thing, but I would argue that some of those goals are specifically created by Fritsch's skill and on-field intelligence and we wouldn't be getting them from 'replacement player A'.

Still in the top half-dozen of his draft and constantly on the verge of becoming a hugely important weapon. Adding just a shade more pursuit and pressure to his game would definitely round him out and make him a more complete player and greatly help his consistency. 

The example to follow would be Tom McDonald who had what seemed like a stinker on the stats sheet back in (round 3, I think?) but stayed intense and contributed in the ways you still can even when the play just isn't liking you that day. He actually finished that round as one of the AFL's leading pressure forwards.

[John Crow Batty 8,221]

Stats don’t lie. He is the leading goal kicking medium forward so far this season. All those above him are key forwards with small forward McDonald-Tipungwudi above him. 

[kallangurdemon 470]

He is an invariably one grab forward in contrast to Weideman and Jackson who inexplicably drop 3 out of every four .A huge loss when he doesn't play .

[Webber 9,964]

About the most natural, instinctive footballer we have, someone whose body couldn’t seem less suited to the modern game, and yet he crops up consistently, making the most of his talents. Too many ignore his positive output, yet when he has a quiet game, jump on him like a ton of bricks. Easily our most productive forward, as the numbers tell. 

[AllMyTeamsAreWank 563]

TMac has had as many quiet games as Fritta yet seems to be getting less criticism. He's playing his role very well and probably could do the defensive stuff better, but the reality is he is one of the most underrated forwards in the comp. I was calling him "5 Chance Fritsch" at the start of the season, but he's straightened up his kicking very nicely. 

Edited May 31, 2021 by AllMyTeamsAreWank

[Jontee 3,632]

I like Fritta and his story, coming through Casey.  He seems to be able to conjure a goal out of thin air. My only complaint is his upper body hasn't seemed to develop since he came on the scene 5 years ago. 

[Lord Nev 13,511]

29 minutes ago, AllMyTeamsAreWank said:

TMac has had as many quiet games as Fritta yet seems to be getting less criticism.

This seems a bit unfair. Different roles, different strengths, and TMac generally finds other ways to impact if he's not kicking goals.

TMac is rated either above average or elite for tackles, tackles inside50, pressure acts, score involvements, goal assists, marks, one percenters and contested possessions, basically all the team/effort kinda stats.

Of those, Fritsch is only rated as above average or elite for score involvements, marks and one percenters (he averages 1 a game...).

This is why there's a perception that there's criticism of Fritsch. His job is a finisher clearly, so he can't be judged purely on the 'tough stuff', but in the games where he didn't impact the score board much he couldn't find another way to impact.

For example, here's his tackle counts in the games he didn't score much:

Fritsch quiet games:

Crows - 1 goal, 0 tackles
Swans - 0 goals, 1 tackle
Saints - 1 goal, 1 tackle

Compared with TMac:

Crows - 1 goal, 3 tackles
Roos - 0 goals, 1 tackle
Cats - 0 goals, 3 tackles
Giants - 0 goals, 5 tackles,

That's obviously a bit of a shallow analysis, but I believe it's a microcosm of where people see the difference in their games currently. I still think Fritsch is a very important player for us, and not every forward needs to be a 'pressure forward' as such, but this should explain why you perceive there's a difference in how their input is judged.

Edited May 31, 2021 by Lord Nev

[Salems Lot 2,354]

2 hours ago, HBDee said:

I don't rate his hairstyle.......

I do!?‍?

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,089]

1 hour ago, hardtack said:

What a bizarre comment. Do you have something against Beavis?

“ Are you threatening me” Long live the great Cornholio!

[spirit of norm smith 12,834]

He had a real crack v the Flogs on Friday night.  A key part of the win. Sure hands. 
 

When he’s on song, he’s a huge asset alongside the talls and Pickett/ Spargo.

His kicking for goal is ok but not deadly. Loves to kick the snap rather than the drop punt.  Before the games he has about 25 set shots from 30 metres out on all angles and nails 24!!! Game pressure is different.  

The frustration is when he has a night like the game against the Swans.  1 behind. Zero tackles. Three clangers from 5 kicks.  He appeared soft and unable to do the basics.  

But he’s a lock in our best 22 imv. 

[Deemania since 56 6,119]

3 hours ago, Little Goffy said:

can only offer a gut feel for it but I think he actually works pretty hard with repeat runs and a lot of time moving at more than just a jog in order to work himself loose from opposition defences. Total goals kicked is one thing, but I would argue that some of those goals are specifically created by Fritsch's skill and on-field intelligence and we wouldn't be getting them from 'replacement player A'.

His movement is what makes him potent. He's already a good kick, a good mark, a good anticipator and reader of the game.

Same for the re-newed TMac - movement clears the zone and creates a definable target for his teammates.

 

[BDA 19,978]

Brave as a lion and plays 2 inches taller than he is. Great hands and has improved his goal kicking this year.

I get as frustrated as anyone when he doesn’t do some of the team stuff (I was fuming with his dribble non-kick in Adelaide and for burning Trac in the process) but he’s kicking goals at the moment. On track for a 50 goal season which is outstanding so I’ll forgive him his defensive lapses.

[58er 5,591]

6 hours ago, BW511 said:

He's an interesting one. I can appreciate his goal kicking but don't necessarily rate him that highly.

If the game is on our terms he is handy, when it isn't he becomes very ineffectual. He can't create a goal in the way a De Goey or Stringer could with brute strength or a massive contest

Really W5 

You don't rate him that highly Well perhaps you should stop and think and appreciate his superb skills and consistency often when we were beaten with a low score. He would usually kick goals even in this scenario and he has been doing it till Goody thank G.d realised he was irreplaceable up forward.  He has been our most consistent forward and is not just a down hill skier. 
Far from it. 
What an insult to his style of play. Have a look at his body strength and physique and that's why he generally uses his brains and marking skills to get goals.

Stringer and De Goey are beasts more like Trac and have other attributes to get themselves a goal. I'd rather Bailey as he is hard to man up on being good overhead and on the ground also. The only question is sometimes he can miss the occasional set shot.

Our forward line is a mixture of all types and I am now wondering what you think of Charlie Spargo?  Indeed I am also a bit worried how you rated the late great Robbie  Flower as he didn't create a goal from brute strength or a massive contest

Have a look at Bayleys game in the  last half of our win vs GWS at the Gabba last Season and see how he wore down Nick Haynes to help us win. Not brute strength in body but in the mind!!

Bayley I M O is in his own way is an A grader how he crafts goals when many others haven't got as much skill as him in his  little finger. 

[deespicable me 1,425]

I'm very glad we have him in the side rather than No. 41 (Sweet) from Dogs.

How was his effort to pick up the ball I think in the third. Wow, if he was a Melbourne player I think Demonland would have melted down by now and there'd be 276 pages on how he should never play for the MFC again.

[whatwhat say what 18,775]

borderline all-oztrayan at the moment

would certainly be in the mid-year 40-man squad if it was picked right now

[rpfc 27,391]

20 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

borderline all-oztrayan at the moment

would certainly be in the mid-year 40-man squad if it was picked right now

That’s some rose coloured bath water you’re drinking...

[rpfc 27,391]

4 hours ago, AllMyTeamsAreWank said:

TMac has had as many quiet games as Fritta 

[John Crow Batty 8,221]

New Demonland whipping boy. I can expect this thread revived after every average game he plays. 

 

Edited May 31, 2021 by John Crow Batty

[Dr.D 1,771]

His drop punt goal kicking needs  a kot of work. thankfully around the body is working for him but he needs to straighten up

[Demonstone 19,050]

1 hour ago, John Crow Batty said:

New Demonland whipping boy.

When did he usurp Melksham?

[Pates 9,536]

The criticism he cops isn’t unwarranted, most people who vent their frustrations with him point to lazy efforts as his biggest deficiency. He rarely tackles properly, and it was very evident against the crows that he was a weak link in the zone which allowed the crows to get out of defence. 

As a goal kicking forward he’s doing a great job and should he continue with his current form he’ll have a really good (even great) season, but he needs to buy into the team mentality as well. 

[Deestroy All 14,261]

7 hours ago, BW511 said:

The hairstyle leads me to believe he drinks a bit of his own bathwater. It may be well off the mark, just what it portrays to me.

I don't agree with @Diamond_Jimthat he walks into any starting 18. I think there would be a few coaches who wouldn't accept the off the ball stuff. Port, Brisbane and Geelong immediately spring to mind. He definitely picks and chooses when he wants to contest

 

You are kidding yourself and don’t watch those teams closely enough. Motlop, Charlie Cameron spent half of last year and the start of this choosing when to put in, Gary Rohan... basically every team has em, and people forget how hard forward pocket is to play consistently. 
 

Look at Rohan and Cameron or Betts or Papley when they have a bad game, they all look like stinkers, comes with the position. 

[leave it to deever 15,155]

10 hours ago, RigidMiddleDigit said:

ability of Fritsch to play as an undersized key forward means McDonald, Weideman and Brow

Not sure if this is sn accurate description.

His hair do brings an extra 20 cm to his official height.

[Cassiew 1,864]

I saw what he said in the club website. He’s not bothered by being relocated and they’re up for the challenge. Maybe people need to settle down a bit. Our players are confident and that’s the most important thing. We’re in a good position at the moment and I think we can keep it up

[Demon Dynasty 15,202]

1 hour ago, John Crow Batty said:

New Demonland whipping boy. I can expect this thread revived after every average game he plays. 

 

Hope you asked BBO (and his new maid!) for permission before you sketched this JCB