On 25/04/2025 at 20:26, Roost it far said:

Compare his game to Sparrow's, who's fast becoming one of our most important alongside Bowey, in fact Fritsch should be put in a room and told to watch Sparrow's game and he only kicked one goal.

Sparrow had 11 tackles, mostly in the f50. For those that are incapable of assessing a players worth to the team, that is gold. Its the key to our resurgence in the past few weeks.

Fritsch is the opposite of that and in a team/system game that is a cancer.

21 hours ago, bush demon said:

Time to stop berating MFC players (premiership heroes included) if you are a Melbourne supporter. Or do it to their faces at a training session, and get feedback in real time.

Players come and go, the team is forever.

Thanks for your 6 goals but if you are not going to put in effort you can go now.

I dunno fellas. There have always been players that apply manic pressure and those that are more outside players. I’d much prefer the ball in Fritta’s hands kicking for goal than pretty much anyone on the team. For example, Tracc is not a reliable snap for goal… Even after all the pressure he applies. Ultimately we may have to accept that Fritta is not a high pressure player and his role - as defined by the coaches - is kicking goals… Could explain why he burned Spargs in the last.

Who knows… But you have to kick a score to win… And without him I’m not sure there’s enough goal kickers on the list.

53 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

He averages 1.7 tackles and 1.3 1%s in his career. It’s not that his numbers in those stats have dramatically dropped or anything. Last year he took the most contested marks he ever has in one single season.

I’m guessing these metrics were overlooked cause we were winning lots of games, I’m just trying to understand why that’s an issue all of sudden when those numbers never lit the world on fire.

He’s too skilful to be running around in that Mickey Mouse VFL comp imo.

It's an issue for two key reasons.

One he is being asked to play a different role to the one he played in 2021-2024.

That role was basically a lead out from the goal square traditional full forward, with lots of one on ones. Still important to apply some level of defensive pressure but goals were his number one KPI. And there were plenty of players around him doing f the defensive grunt work

Now he's being asked to play a different role - half forward flank, a role that demands a much greater level of defensive intensity, not to mention preparedness to set up goals instead of kicking them.

His number one KPI now us more likely to be score involvements than goals. And his KPIs would 100% now include pressure acts, 1%, tackles defensive gut running etc.

Given his height, he's probably also expected to impact aerial contests to ensure key defenders don't intercept mark.

(on that front there was an aerial contest at the punt road end below where o was sitting- fritter chose to sit out the back rather than impact the contest, looking for the spill and easy collect. That might fly, pardon the pun, when goals were his key metric, bit now. And in this instance a tiger's defender took an intercept mark - poor defensive effort from fritter that won't have gone unnoticed by goody).

The second point is as muchthe game has morphed nto a transition game, pressure is still king.

In 2021 no team applied as much pressure and intensity as we did. Now, on any given day, every team does. We could carry a few players who were in the team for their silk - we can't now, every single player has to bring the defensive heat.

There's an argument that goody should play Fritter in that lead up forward role again given its arguably his best position

But even if he did, applying pressure will remain a non negotiable.

And besides, he should embrace whatever role he's being asked to play.

I'm a huge fritter fan, but I don't think he should have been called up after one average game at Casey. And I'd drop him this week as his two goals don't balance our his lack of defensive efforts imo.

Edited April 27Apr 27 by binman

57 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

He averages 1.7 tackles and 1.3 1%s in his career. It’s not that his numbers in those stats have dramatically dropped or anything. Last year he took the most contested marks he ever has in one single season.

I’m guessing these metrics were overlooked cause we were winning lots of games, I’m just trying to understand why that’s an issue all of sudden when those numbers never lit the world on fire.

He’s too skilful to be running around in that Mickey Mouse VFL comp imo.

I agree they were overlooked.

The issue imv is the game plan needs him to play a different role as is evidenced by him being higher up the ground. Without good defensive work it is a dangerous place for a turnover or easy ball get by the opp. Also, the transition game style and not having ANB's attack on the ball and on the opp means Fritsch (and every player) now has to do more of the hard work for the team when we don't have the ball or the ball is in dispute. Fritsch shows only fleeting signs that he will do that work.

Goodwin doesn't talk about offence he talks about what we do when we don't have the ball. That is what players are being judged by.

The question: is do his 1 or 2 goals outweigh the extra work his teammates have to do to cover his share of the workload when the ball is in dispute because he doesn't. I suspect his teammates wouldn't be too happy about that after a while.

Edited April 27Apr 27 by Lucifers Hero

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

Sparrow had 11 tackles, mostly in the f50. For those that are incapable of assessing a players worth to the team, that is gold. Its the key to our resurgence in the past few weeks.

Fritsch is the opposite of that and in a team/system game that is a cancer.

Agreed, but each player offers the team something different. Dusty Martin was allowed to play his own game because he was so damaging. Fritta isn't Dusty, but he can be as damaging.

It's a hard one to assess. We might be happy for the rest of the team to shoulder the defensive work if Fritta hits the scoreboard more.

Just now, Lucifers Hero said:

I agree they were overlooked.

The issue imv is the game plan needs him to play a different role as is evidenced by him being higher up the ground. Without good defensive work it is a dangerous place for a turnover. Also, the transition game style and not having ANB's attack on the ball and on the opp means Fritsch (and every player) now has to do more of the hard work for the team when we don't have the ball or the ball is in dispute. Fritsch shows only fleeting signs that he will do that work.

Goodwin doesn't talk about offence he talks about what we do when we don't have the ball. That is what players are being judged by.

The question: is do his 1 or 2 goals outweigh the extra work his teammates have to do to cover his share of the workload when the ball is in dispute because he doesn't. I suspect his teammates wouldn't be too happy about that after a while.

Snap

Just now, binman said:

Snap

😄 I didn't see your post.

For some reason I'm not getting the pop-up to say a new post has arrived while I'm typing.

I read the interview with Fritta where he acknowledges his love for the MFC & where he wants to play his whole career with them. He also acknowledges his form slump & how he is working hard to overcome it. Once again as supporters we over analyse his game & what we perceive as lack of effort ..we never acknowledge the human side of it. He had injuries last year ..pretty serious ones & he know’s he’s not back to his best. He’s def worth giving some time too because to be honest if we go anywhere this year ..we need him.

31 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

😄 I didn't see your post.

For some reason I'm not getting the pop-up to say a new post has arrived while I'm typing.

I think we posted at the same time

Play him in forward pocket near edge of goal square, next to Van R! But his role is beat your opponent, focus defence on your man! Chandler or Kossie as other FP!

I always felt when Grundy was at Demons, Max should have rested in goalsquare with Kossie next to him and Fritsch nearby, Max doesn’t mark it, Kossie crumbs or puts pressure on or Fritsch marks or crumbs!

Something needs to be tried that makes Fritsch more accountable! Fritsch is highly skilled as recognised by many had a great 2021 finals campaign and late 23/24 obviously dealing with a bung foot!

I get that it’s 18 man defence, but can be outliers. Bit like Viney go to best on baller of opposition and tackle every time they get ball!

2 hours ago, jnrmac said:

Players come and go, the team is forever.

Thanks for your 6 goals but if you are not going to put in effort you can go now.

Fully agree. He's been living on the GF performance ever since.

Has been poor since mid 2024. Lazy, sloppy skills by hand & foot & selfish ie rarely gives off to players in better position.

16 minutes ago, D4Life said:

Something needs to be tried that makes Fritsch more accountable! Fritsch is highly skilled as recognised by many had a great 2021 finals campaign and late 23/24 obviously dealing with a bung foot!

Out of interest what was wrong with his foot. Its a long time to have a foot injury - did he miss the 23/24 preseason? Am surprised he didn't miss lots of training or games last year.

This preseason?

1 hour ago, binman said:

It's an issue for two key reasons.

One he is being asked to play a different role to the one he played in 2021-2024.

That role was basically a lead out from the goal square traditional full forward, with lots of one on ones. Still important to apply some level of defensive pressure but goals were his number one KPI. And there were plenty of players around him doing f the defensive grunt work

Now he's being asked to play a different role - half forward flank, a role that demands a much greater level of defensive intensity, not to mention preparedness to set up goals instead of kicking them.

His number one KPI now us more likely to be score involvements than goals. And his KPIs would 100% now include pressure acts, 1%, tackles defensive gut running etc.

Given his height, he's probably also expected to impact aerial contests to ensure key defenders don't intercept mark.

(on that front there was an aerial contest at the punt road end below where o was sitting- fritter chose to sit out the back rather than impact the contest, looking for the spill and easy collect. That might fly, pardon the pun, when goals were his key metric, bit now. And in this instance a tiger's defender took an intercept mark - poor defensive effort from fritter that won't have gone unnoticed by goody).

The second point is as muchthe game has morphed nto a transition game, pressure is still king.

In 2021 no team applied as much pressure and intensity as we did. Now, on any given day, every team does. We could carry a few players who were in the team for their silk - we can't now, every single player has to bring the defensive heat.

There's an argument that goody should play Fritter in that lead up forward role again given its arguably his best position

But even if he did, applying pressure will remain a non negotiable.

And besides, he should embrace whatever role he's being asked to play.

I'm a huge fritter fan, but I don't think he should have been called up after one average game at Casey. And I'd drop him this week as his two goals don't balance our his lack of defensive efforts imo.

All valid points but we can see with our own eyes when he doesn't chase, harass or puts out one arm for a faux tackle. Or he plays selfish football and ignores a teammate in a better position - a la Spargo in the last 2 minutes of the Tigers game

Maybe he got away with it in the past because he scored goals but its not like this a revelation to Fritsch - he is a professional footballer after all and effort is always non-negotiable

Our fwd tackle pressure in the past 3 weeks is off the charts. A pressure rating of 264 during the 3rd qtr against the tigers is off the charts. If you can't buy into that you're toast

I don't care how many goals he kicked in the GF 4 years ago if he cant bring heat when we don't have the ball. One player not contributing can cause the whole system to break down and we have seen by the form line this year how important it is for everyone to be doing the right thing. Trust amongst team mates is vital and when you lose it like Clarry last year it all falls apart.

1 hour ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Out of interest what was wrong with his foot. Its a long time to have a foot injury - did he miss the 23/24 preseason? Am surprised he didn't miss lots of training or games last year.

This preseason?

At the end of 2021 he had knee surgery for an injury sustained during training when a large line coach fell on him. During training in 2022 his foot was accidentally stomped on by a teammate during training causing a fracture. Then at our Alice game in 2023 during a marking contest he came down hard and rolled his ankle so severely that it caused a fracture to a bone in his foot. This preseason marked the first time since December 2021 he’s been fully injury-free.

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

8All valid points but we can see with our own eyes when he doesn't chase, harass or puts out one arm for a faux tackle. Or he plays selfish football and ignores a teammate in a better position - a la Spargo in the last 2 minutes of the Tigers game

Maybe he got away with it in the past because he scored goals but its not like this a revelation to Fritsch - he is a professional footballer after all and effort is always non-negotiable

Our fwd tackle pressure in the past 3 weeks is off the charts. A pressure rating of 264 during the 3rd qtr against the tigers is off the charts. If you can't buy into that you're toast

I don't care how many goals he kicked in the GF 4 years ago if he cant bring heat when we don't have the ball. One player not contributing can cause the whole system to break down and we have seen by the form line this year how important it is for everyone to be doing the right thing. Trust amongst team mates is vital and when you lose it like Clarry last year it all falls apart.

We're in furious agreement jnr.

I'd add that fritter is a senior player now and should be showing eadership and role modelling defensive effort.

Edited April 27Apr 27 by binman

Firstly he’s not even in Dusty Martin’s orbit so let’s leave them in different paragraphs. Secondly he’s become lazy. Thirdly, if you can’t harass, tackle and chase then you don’t play, especially in a transition game when sound defence is so important. He’s nowhere near good enough to be excused from the defensive side of the game. Work harder or play at Casey.

Edited April 27Apr 27 by Roost it far

5 hours ago, binman said:

It's an issue for two key reasons.

One he is being asked to play a different role to the one he played in 2021-2024.

That role was basically a lead out from the goal square traditional full forward, with lots of one on ones. Still important to apply some level of defensive pressure but goals were his number one KPI. And there were plenty of players around him doing f the defensive grunt work

Now he's being asked to play a different role - half forward flank, a role that demands a much greater level of defensive intensity, not to mention preparedness to set up goals instead of kicking them.

His number one KPI now us more likely to be score involvements than goals. And his KPIs would 100% now include pressure acts, 1%, tackles defensive gut running etc.

Given his height, he's probably also expected to impact aerial contests to ensure key defenders don't intercept mark.

(on that front there was an aerial contest at the punt road end below where o was sitting- fritter chose to sit out the back rather than impact the contest, looking for the spill and easy collect. That might fly, pardon the pun, when goals were his key metric, bit now. And in this instance a tiger's defender took an intercept mark - poor defensive effort from fritter that won't have gone unnoticed by goody).

The second point is as muchthe game has morphed nto a transition game, pressure is still king.

In 2021 no team applied as much pressure and intensity as we did. Now, on any given day, every team does. We could carry a few players who were in the team for their silk - we can't now, every single player has to bring the defensive heat.

There's an argument that goody should play Fritter in that lead up forward role again given its arguably his best position

But even if he did, applying pressure will remain a non negotiable.

And besides, he should embrace whatever role he's being asked to play.

I'm a huge fritter fan, but I don't think he should have been called up after one average game at Casey. And I'd drop him this week as his two goals don't balance our his lack of defensive efforts imo.

I understand what you’re saying Binners. To me your argument boils down to the fact that he’s being asked to play a different position… As your second point above indicates that we’ve been a high pressure team since 2021 of which Fritta was a part, just playing a different role. I’m prepared to give him time to learn his new job, knowing that he can kick goals.

Reference his omission and subsequent call up… It’s Goody’s game plan. If Goody thinks that Fritsch is suitable to slot in the side then I’ll back that.

2 hours ago, Roost it far said:

Secondly he’s become lazy.

I'm not sure this is really supported by stats...

He's never been a big pressure player.

On 25/04/2025 at 15:54, Stiff Arm said:

Happy to cut him some slack, but not playing in the seniors.

If, as you suggest, fatherhood is affecting his ability to perform for MFC then give him more time at home and let him play for Casey.

I'm not convinced that is the reason for his drop in form, he's been below part for a long time now, but I absolutely think he should not be playing seniors based on his current output.

This is a team notorious for inaccuracy. Over the long term Fritter is the most accurate forward at the club. No-one can stay at 100pc all the time. Ad long as he comes good in the Prelim, that's all I care about.

Im happy for him to fight with Melky for that 3rd tall role all year.

Allows Melk to be managed during the year and it forces Fritta to play on the edge since he won't be picked every week on name alone.

I think by the end of the year we will have a patch of really strong form which Fritsch will be apart of.

1 hour ago, Adam The God said:

I'm not sure this is really supported by stats...

He's never been a big pressure player.

So play at Casey until you reach the minimum standard required. His defensive stats are laughable.

We are currently playing a forward group where 3-4 of these almost never kick goals (Spargo, Tholstrup, Fullarton, Sparrow. Add Melksham, Henderson & Johnson from earlier in the year).

All the pressure acts and tackles in the world are meaningless if our forwards don't do what they are paid for and kick goals, as scoring more than the opposition is the whole point of the sport last time I checked.

No doubt Fritsch has been well off his best form this year, but he is the one player in the team who can be relied upon to kick goals on a reasonably regular basis. Even more so when we generate the fast ball movement and open forward line that plays to his strengths.

The 16th highest scoring side in the competition can ill afford not to play proven goalkickers.

23 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Also, the transition game style and not having ANB's attack on the ball and on the opp means Fritsch (and every player) now has to do more of the hard work for the team when we don't have the ball or the ball is in dispute.

I think this is a good point. Until we find someone who does the ANB role even 75 percent as well as him, others need to fill the gaps

But I still err on this side of this:

23 hours ago, Adam The God said:

We might be happy for the rest of the team to shoulder the defensive work if Fritta hits the scoreboard more.

I think as supporters - or maybe this is just a Demonland thing - we happily wave away the enormous, glaring limitations of some while homing in on and becoming obsessed with the obvious limitations of others.

I'd love Fritsch to become Tom Atkins with his tackling. I'd love Charlie Spargo to get 20 every week. I'd love Ed Langdon to learn how to handball. I'd love Tom Fullarton to go full early-2012 Mitch Clark. I'd love Jake Lever to be like Matthew Scarlett one on one. None of these things are ever going to happen.

And as others have said, when you kick the ball as poorly into the forward 50 as we do (and have for years), a bloke who can make something out of not very much is absolutely gold.

20 hours ago, Roost it far said:

Firstly he’s not even in Dusty Martin’s orbit so let’s leave them in different paragraphs. Secondly he’s become lazy. Thirdly, if you can’t harass, tackle and chase then you don’t play, especially in a transition game when sound defence is so important. He’s nowhere near good enough to be excused from the defensive side of the game. Work harder or play at Casey.

The Fritsch sychophants on here are laughable. 'oh leave fritsch alone, he's just had a baby' Or 'he kicked 6 goals in our GF victory' as if that excuses him for the next 5 years. Like a Willy Wonka golden ticket.

We'll always be grateful for those players but it's a professional sport and the world moves on.

I follow the team and always will. The players come and go.