5 hours ago, 58er said:

I think Binman has the best opinion on Fritta. He is irreplaceable in our forward line and an extra 20 goals to 60 would be priceless for our forward line. 
in fact all our forwards plus new recruits XL Langford and AJ plus Sharp can all add to our flexibility and goals to make up the necessary points up to 90 plus for a Finals team. 

I would hate for Fat Tony to summarise the weaknesses of all our forwards based on his summary of Fritta. 

Last season was his worst really so I have full confidence he will be back in his best with support from new players and existing alike to ensure we get back to a confidence that will ensure a forward line with many options for the crest of the competition to fear. 

Binman had foot in mouth syndrome and suggested Langford or Johnson would be the cause for Fritta to be dropped.

Yes his intensity is a concern, but his goal kicking is too valuable. The club goes from a 12 goal kicking game to a 10 goal game on average. No point weakening an already weak part of the game. 
 

Scoring is fundamentally what wins a game. To put it in a simplistic way. 

59 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

In other words he’s safe as houses

On the safer side, yes.

A lot of posters claiming Fritsch’s po

On 03/01/2025 at 17:40, binman said:

Well let's not over egg the pudding on the goal kicking front.

Sure he topped our goal kicking list, but he only kicked 41 goals.

Who would take his spot if dropped?

Well for a start Langford, who is 3cms taller than Fritter, will likely be a forward mid.

So Fritta has got one more medium forward to compete with next season - two if you count AJ. 

Melk is a medium option as is McAdam if he comes good.

Again, Fritter is a gun. Love him.

But if his intensity is not AFL standard he'll find himself out of the team. 

I would argue a lot of mids / flankers disposal inside fwd 50 or in general play is not AFL standard, also our gameplan of bombing long into a congested fwd line is not AFL standard. On occasions last year when we moved the ball quickly and direct into our fwd 50 we saw the difference yet we always revert back. 
Fritsch at the Pies, Giants etc would be on the end of better delivery and find himself in space. 
 

On 04/01/2025 at 09:55, Fat Tony said:

An issue with Fritsch is that he is really only valuable as the deepest forward. He is not a great kick inside 50, is one sided and lacks the effort when the ball hits the deck. This means that he can be a liability up the ground and we need to structure our forward line with him close to goal.

I agree his defensive efforts are lacking but when the ball hits the ground and it’s and it’s there to be won he is very agile and skilful.

Open up the fwd 50 and get it in there quickly and direct / to his advantage. He’s a great mark of the footy and uses his body well in those contests. 

8 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

He’s a great mark of the footy and uses his body well in those contests. 

He is indeed - pound for pound one of the best one on one marks in the AFL.

And a brilliant kick.

He's a gun, one of my favourite players.

And to be clear, I expect him to be in our best 22 In 2025. He should be, he is one of our very best players.

But as I've noted intensity is a non negotiable. As is defensive pressure, one percenters and defensive gut running.

It's been a long time since a player can be poor in those non negotiable areas and not be at risk of being dropped, regardless of the number of goals he's kicking (well I guess if we was kicking 100 a season he might be safe - but fritters not in that camp).

Leaving aside selection, players who meet those non negotiable kpis play their best footy.

It's no coincidence Fritter's two highest goal scoring seasons (2021 and 2022), and the two best seasons of his career, correspond to his two highest number of tackles in a season. 

Fritter has plenty of credit in the bank, but lost a little bit of that credit last season.

But as Redleg noted he had several barriers to playing his best footy last season - one of which was, like many teammates, he was never fit enough (another player who had an interrupted preseasons). 

He looks very focused at training, and is working very hard so I'm confident he'll be come our firing and be the best 22 lock he deserves to be.

38 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

I agree his defensive efforts are lacking but when the ball hits the ground and it’s and it’s there to be won he is very agile and skilful.

Only when inside 50. 

3 hours ago, binman said:

He is indeed - pound for pound one of the best one on one marks in the AFL.

And a brilliant kick.

He's a gun, one of my favourite players.

And to be clear, I expect him to be in our best 22 In 2025. He should be, he is one of our very best players.

But as I've noted intensity is a non negotiable. As is defensive pressure, one percenters and defensive gut running.

It's been a long time since a player can be poor in those non negotiable areas and not be at risk of being dropped, regardless of the number of goals he's kicking (well I guess if we was kicking 100 a season he might be safe - but fritters not in that camp).

Leaving aside selection, players who meet those non negotiable kpis play their best footy.

It's no coincidence Fritter's two highest goal scoring seasons (2021 and 2022), and the two best seasons of his career, correspond to his two highest number of tackles in a season. 

Fritter has plenty of credit in the bank, but lost a little bit of that credit last season.

But as Redleg noted he had several barriers to playing his best footy last season - one of which was, like many teammates, he was never fit enough (another player who had an interrupted preseasons). 

He looks very focused at training, and is working very hard so I'm confident he'll be come our firing and be the best 22 lock he deserves to be.

That is interesting, was not aware of that.

Fritsch needs to stay close to goal, it’s pretty simple. Inside 40m with even slightly better ball movement he’s a weapon. If we want to have him influence games we need to move it a bit quicker and lower the eyes into the 50. Not all our inside 50’s need to be like that. We can still kick it long if needed and we’re set up defensively. But when we get a faster break he’s rarely in the wrong spot. He’s a 2-3 a game goal kicker in these circumstances. Calling for his head was at times warranted last year, his second efforts were abysmal and third efforts non existent. I’m expecting a much better year this year. If not, realistically who’s his replacement because McAdam is a long shot and I think Melksham can play alongside him if his form warrants.

Edited January 5Jan 5 by Roost it far

31 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Fritsch needs to stay close to goal, it’s pretty simple. Inside 40m with even slightly better ball movement he’s a weapon. If we want to have him influence games we need to move it a bit quicker and lower the eyes into the 50. Not all our inside 50’s need to be like that. We can still kick it long if needed and we’re set up defensively. But when we get a faster break he’s rarely in the wrong spot. He’s a 2-3 a game goal kicker in these circumstances. Calling for his head was at times warranted last year, his second efforts were abysmal and third efforts non existent. I’m expecting a much better year this year. If not, realistically who’s his replacement because McAdam is a long shot and I think Melksham can play alongside him if his form warrants.

Agree on fritter being at his best leading out from the goal square an on the fast break when he can get one out and/or lead into space.

Jeffo is interesting because I reckon he's similar. Can you have two such players in the same team?

Perhaps. But only with fast ball movement.

Jeffo and Fritter leading from the square with Turner and JVR waxing at CHF.

From what I saw at training it would be folly to underestimate melk.

Looks is ripping nick, and his field kicking in matcch sim drill was sublime - 50 metre darts that opened up the play or hit leading forwards lace out.

16 hours ago, binman said:

Agree on fritter being at his best leading out from the goal square an on the fast break when he can get one out and/or lead into space.

Jeffo is interesting because I reckon he's similar. Can you have two such players in the same team?

Perhaps. But only with fast ball movement.

Jeffo and Fritter leading from the square with Turner and JVR waxing at CHF.

From what I saw at training it would be folly to underestimate melk.

Looks is ripping nick, and his field kicking in matcch sim drill was sublime - 50 metre darts that opened up the play or hit leading forwards lace out.

How good does Melk look!!???

PHWOAR. Seriously. He's got another year or two in him, easy, in that nick. Always been a big fan of Melk, and he plays such an important role in the team. To have him starting fit this year is such a big win for us. Maybe it's the new year vibe in me, but I am feeling pretty good about our forward line. With Fritter also starting fresh, and hopefully a little more renewed mongrel from him in the 50, I reckon we will be a tricky matchup for most teams. 

Melk would look even better with a big cup at the end of this year... 

On 04/01/2025 at 20:17, rjay said:

 

...the AFL players that are not one sided would make a very short list.

Interestingly I was thinking in response to the comment that Frittata was pretty versatile (better than most) with either foot, particularly with snap shots.

 

23 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Interestingly I was thinking in response to the comment that Frittata was pretty versatile (better than most) with either foot, particularly with snap shots.

 

I think AFL players are encouraged to kick on their strong side.

There are very few that kick well on and use both feet.

I'm sure Fritsch would be handy on his non preferred side but it's not something I've really noticed.

6 minutes ago, rjay said:

I think AFL players are encouraged to kick on their strong side.

There are very few that kick well on and use both feet.

I'm sure Fritsch would be handy on his non preferred side but it's not something I've really noticed.

Fritsch is a deadly snap on his right foot. Always easier to kick them around the body though.

50 minutes ago, rjay said:

I think AFL players are encouraged to kick on their strong side.

Which is why many of our players get caught with the ball - they don't have a strong side.

On 05/01/2025 at 12:52, Bombay Airconditioning said:

I agree his defensive efforts are lacking but when the ball hits the ground and it’s and it’s there to be won he is very agile and skilful.

Agree with that.  He has that innate forwards sense of where the ball is likely to drop, where the dangerous space is and awareness of other players around him.  He may drop the mark, skirt the contest and seem out of the play, but next thing you know, he's out the other side of the pack and having a shot on goal.  On the down side for him I think that when he pulls it off, he makes it look easy and opportunist and when it doesn't fall his way, it probably makes him look lazy and undefensive.

BBB also had a similar sense as a forward, although I think he may also have been better at times of bringing other forwards into the play, by providing a well directed tap on to advantage of our other forwards out of nowhere when he looked out of position, that often created scoring opportunities, even though he wasn't pulling down that many marks and having direct shots himself.

I'm not sure we could have all our forwards play this role of Fritta, but I think you at least need a few with the ability to create and provide attacking scoring opportunities - if everyone is just looking to takle the defender, who is actually being the attacker?  Also think that it soaks up alot of the opposition defenders attention checking him and fees up other players to get out in space within our forward line.  I personally think playing as a defender on someone like Fritsch would be a nightmare, because players like him are just so 'slippery' that you can't easily out position them around a contest, they are always two steps ahead of you with respect where the ball is going and where to position themselves.

Edited January 8Jan 8 by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

10 hours ago, Adam The God said:

Fritsch is a deadly snap on his right foot. Always easier to kick them around the body though.

I always thought Fritta was natural right and drive my mates spare by pointing out how many times he was in the incorrect pocket. By that I mean he should be kicking from the left hand pocket to allow for the hook of a right side release. (Buddy used to exploit his hook and I have noticed MAX and a lot of our players run off the line to maximise their distance.) However he (Fritta) seems to be able to convert on either foot from either pocket so I am really confused. Dont know if anyone has any stat on which pocket, which foot.

That said I recall Kelvin Templeton kicking at his home chimney and he eliminated the hook from his delivery. He was always accurate over a short distance.

Re the above running off the line , I also reckon the umpires call play on to our players more quickly than other sides and this results in an off balance kick . (again this is an informal observation with no statistical evidence). Perhaps training correspondents could see how we are moving at training

i 100% disagree with the notion that fritsch is not a key forward; i would say he is THE key forward in our set-up

what he obviously isn't is a TALL forward

7 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

i 100% disagree with the notion that fritsch is not a key forward; i would say he is THE key forward in our set-up

what he obviously isn't is a TALL forward

He ( Fritta) sometimes plays the ROLE of the key forward but is not really our KPF (FF) in the structure.

JVR or Turner ( or Petty) will be named and most probably play at FF and even Jefferson or Johnson plus Kossie may play in that position at times depending upon how the match is going. 

5 hours ago, 58er said:

He ( Fritta) sometimes plays the ROLE of the key forward but is not really our KPF (FF) in the structure.

JVR or Turner ( or Petty) will be named and most probably play at FF and even Jefferson or Johnson plus Kossie may play in that position at times depending upon how the match is going. 

i dunno, i reckon in most 6-6-6 set-ups at the bounce, it's fritsch tethered to the goalsquare

8 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

i dunno, i reckon in most 6-6-6 set-ups at the bounce, it's fritsch tethered to the goalsquare

i noticed on the random times I went to the footy that there was an innovative forward system where all players lined up in a line from the goal square to the centre. the players then rotated along that line each time a goal was scored. It seemed a random change depending on who was on the field. It meant each forward including Kozzie was in the square. 

This system did seem to frustrate opposition who were matched up on opponents and often ended up out of position or mis matched in the line . It also allowed players to flare in different directions singly or collectively from the line . Again this disrupted opposition defences. The tactic also squared up our attacks from midfield which could be directed more clearly down the centre in the first instance .

I couldnt notice this on TV and dont know if it was a regular system. or maybe it was going to be a surprise tactic to use more regularly in the finals season.

.

I liked it as it worked well with a tactic I have advocated, the forward churn. this involved players constantly moving around the forward positions to create mismatches. Each player needed to be aware of where their teammates were to move in harmony to positions where they can create separation.  I noted it was reported from training that coaches were telling forwards to keep moving.

I thought I might do a lifetime best 23. 88 to now.

B: Lever, May, Whelan

HB: S.Febey, Wight, B.Lovett

C: Tingay, Petracca, Langdon

HF: Lyon, Schwarz, Yze

F: Jakovich, Neitz, Farmer

FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, J.Viney

IC: T.Viney, J.McDonald, Jones, Stynes

SUB: Davey

If I've forgotten anybody let me know.

Edited January 13Jan 13 by WERRIDEE

On 05/01/2025 at 12:56, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Open up the fwd 50 and get it in there quickly and direct / to his advantage. He’s a great mark of the footy and uses his body well in those contests. 

I think you’ll be VERY surprised with our fwd line strategy in 25’ — it’s going to be completely different and much more modern ergo built to suit Fritta with space, more blocking, maybe some Kansas-city-shuffle type antics and I for one am SUPER excited to see what TC does with our much deeper & higher ceiling fwd line than what most perceive. 

Edited January 13Jan 13 by Tolstoys Nudge

39 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

I thought I might do a lifetime best 23. 88 to now.

B: Lever, May, Whelan

HB: S.Febey, Wight, B.Lovett

C: Tingay, Petracca, Langdon

HF: Lyon, Schwarz, Yze

F: Jakovich, Neitz, Farmer

FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, J.Viney

IC: T.Viney, J.McDonald, Jones, Stynes

SUB: Davey

If I've forgotten anybody let me know.

You CANT leave Prymke out, just can’t! But I guess games played hurts. But a good effort. My lifetime goes 84 to now so would be similar but def wld have Prymke over Febey or Lever, maybe few other subtle tweaks.. Other omissions would be border-line but my era enables Tulip to storm in soooo 🙌 

I’d also consider Robbo in place of Jmac.. but tough call maybe Jones, Obst is also a tough omission but Trapper for Me due to his class comes in on wing or bench ahead of Jones.

Edited January 13Jan 13 by Tolstoys Nudge

On 08/01/2025 at 23:55, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Agree with that.  He has that innate forwards sense of where the ball is likely to drop, where the dangerous space is and awareness of other players around him.  He may drop the mark, skirt the contest and seem out of the play, but next thing you know, he's out the other side of the pack and having a shot on goal.  On the down side for him I think that when he pulls it off, he makes it look easy and opportunist and when it doesn't fall his way, it probably makes him look lazy and undefensive.

BBB also had a similar sense as a forward, although I think he may also have been better at times of bringing other forwards into the play, by providing a well directed tap on to advantage of our other forwards out of nowhere when he looked out of position, that often created scoring opportunities, even though he wasn't pulling down that many marks and having direct shots himself.

I'm not sure we could have all our forwards play this role of Fritta, but I think you at least need a few with the ability to create and provide attacking scoring opportunities - if everyone is just looking to takle the defender, who is actually being the attacker?  Also think that it soaks up alot of the opposition defenders attention checking him and fees up other players to get out in space within our forward line.  I personally think playing as a defender on someone like Fritsch would be a nightmare, because players like him are just so 'slippery' that you can't easily out position them around a contest, they are always two steps ahead of you with respect where the ball is going and where to position themselves.

You can’t have all defensive fwds & Fritta like Trapper before him suffers from the perceived laconic nature they display at times but he’s ESSENTIAL given his ability to finish, smarts etc & would right now be a first picked player without any hesitation— that said, he’s definitely got work to Do on his body language, def consistency & also his kicking which has been poor in big games since 21’ GF.