9 minutes ago, Redleg said:

On another note, I love the way Fritta has been going this pre season.

He seems more energized,fitter and is covering more ground.

His contribution is now greater than just kicking a goal or two, he is setting up play from further afield.

That is better for him and us.

I think he will be a more valuable player for us this year.

He's a really good field kick.

9 minutes ago, Redleg said:

On another note, I love the way Fritta has been going this pre season.

He seems more energized,fitter and is covering more ground.

His contribution is now greater than just kicking a goal or two, he is setting up play from further afield.

That is better for him and us.

I think he will be a more valuable player for us this year.

The new style of play suits him well. He’s formed a great rapport with Kingy and is relishing the change in methods, etc. That’s not a slight on Goody, they’re two entirely different coaches. Fritta is embracing the challenge of many changes at the one time. He says there’s harmony in the team, again.

16 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

They did. They had a full session out at Casey Fields. They’ll be training at Casey Fields again on Thursday.

This lack of training at Goschs I'm starting to take personally

5 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

He says there’s harmony in the team, again.

And hopefully that will be reflected in their performances.

Just now, Fritta and Turner said:

This lack of training at Goschs I'm starting to take personally

I know right?! 😅

Next Tuesday is an interesting one though: two flush runs in one day, with a break of one hour and 45 minutes in between.

1 hour ago, At Least I Saw a Flag said:

He's a really good field kick.

I agree when he's kicking on his left. It's a thing of beauty. However, I can't recall ever seeing him kick on his right foot. Is he completely one-sided or does he have a decent right foot kick, too?

2 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

It’s all good, W. I have to learn to cop it on the chin, too. The thick skin is taking its sweet time to grow, I’m a work in progress.

warning /pick on my little sheet rack at you peril

2 hours ago, TRIGON said:

Has the amputation been a success?

4 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Hiya Ghosty, it was more than ‘two tiny punctures’ - he was bitten, had it cleaned up then it became infected. He attended a clinic, received several stitches and was put on an antibiotic IV drip. Your info sounds like it may have come from the period after the bite and before the infection. Agree that Edmunds has made it sound worse than it is though. (source: directly from the club - I was in town recently, donating some of my Grandfather’s footy stuff to the club and the MCC).

Any cool items ET?

Update from the club:

MELBOURNE is hopeful mercurial forward Bayley Fritsch won’t miss any AFL football after a dog bite left him requiring surgery on the eve of the 2026 AFL Premiership Season.

Despite the bite leaving Fritsch with an infection to his hand, the Demon’s strong recovery leaves him well-placed for an attack on Round 1.

“Bayley tried to break up a fight between his two dogs and unfortunately got bitten in the process,” GM of AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson said.

“His hand got infected, so he’s had surgery to wash out the infection.

“He’ll rejoin the group again on Thursday with an eye on working towards a Round 1 appearance.”

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1964550/injury-update-fritsch-eyes-round-1

On 03/03/2026 at 13:46, Ghostwriter said:

Facts:

There was NEVER an infection

He went back to the club doctor this morning to have it checked. He’s fine.

Despite the bite leaving Fritsch with an infection to his hand, the Demon’s strong recovery leaves him well-placed for an attack on Round 1.

“Bayley tried to break up a fight between his two dogs and unfortunately got bitten in the process,” GM of AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson said.

“His hand got infected, so he’s had surgery to wash out the infection.

Mumma Fritsch needs to stop telling porkies!

7 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Hiya Ghosty, it was more than ‘two tiny punctures’ - he was bitten, had it cleaned up then it became infected. He attended a clinic, received several stitches and was put on an antibiotic IV drip. Your info sounds like it may have come from the period after the bite and before the infection. Agree that Edmunds has made it sound worse than it is though. (source: directly from the club - I was in town recently, donating some of my Grandfather’s footy stuff to the club and the MCC).

As an interest ..where did it say stitches. Richardson said he had surgery to wash out the infection ..I didn’t read stitches. ?

35 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Despite the bite leaving Fritsch with an infection to his hand, the Demon’s strong recovery leaves him well-placed for an attack on Round 1.

“Bayley tried to break up a fight between his two dogs and unfortunately got bitten in the process,” GM of AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson said.

“His hand got infected, so he’s had surgery to wash out the infection.

Mumma Fritsch needs to stop telling porkies!

It’s been pretty widely known since Monday that the bite which occurred Saturday had become infected and required a surgery but that it wouldn’t put him out for round one and he’ll train tomorrow with a guard

This reminds me of the time most of us on DL were trying to figure out if Brendan McCartney was in the coaches box or directing from the bench.

7 hours ago, FireInTheBennelly said:

That gif prompts several possible comments/responses. The most judicious of which is the one below…

8 hours ago, layzie said:

Any cool items ET?

1959 bronze premiership medallion and a match worn jumper from the 1957 GF are probably the highlights.

10 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

He says there’s harmony in the team, again.

Which is what all these changes were about.

There will be stiches. I was bitten by our cat when I was trying to come between him and a fluffy white moggy. I had two nights in hospital when it became infected, an operation to clean and drain the infection with stiches. I'm not saying I could have played football the next weekend but a steel butchers glove will get Fritta through.