Melbourne forward Bayley Fritsch says he is having \u201cgood conversations\u201d over a new deal to remain at the club.<\/p>\n
Fritsch, 29, is in the last season of the deal he signed after a breakout 2021. <\/p>\n
The left-footer was dropped last year but returned after one week and is a regular in the rejuvenated Demons under first-season coach Steven King.<\/p>\n
Fritsch can\u2019t see himself playing anywhere else and is hoping to make up for lost time as a late draftee.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something that\u2019s obviously playing out behind the scenes, I think we\u2019re in good conversations with the club,\u201d Fritsch said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t see myself anywhere else. Hopefully, we can get something sorted pretty soon.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started pretty late, I didn\u2019t get drafted until I was 19-20, so I\u2019d like to think I can play well into my 30s.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel I\u2019ve got a lot of good footy ahead of me. There\u2019s still plenty of things to work on in my game and I think I\u2019m still improving every year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fritsch\u2019s rollercoaster third quarter against Hawthorn on Saturday captured both the highs and lows of his game. <\/p>\n
After laying a desperate tackle and drilling a long goal, Fritsch went again himself instead of giving a simple handball to an unmarked Latrelle Pickett.<\/p>\n
Fritsch said he\u2019d approach it differently if he had his time again, admitting he wanted another hit of appreciation from the strong Melbourne crowd.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was straight out to goal. Looking over my shoulder after I kicked it, it looks pretty obvious,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the crowd was roaring, there\u2019s 70,000 here and I turned my back. If I had my time again, I would\u2019ve heard him, I would\u2019ve handballed it, but that\u2019s footy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Melbourne has seven wins from 10 matches under King, playing a contrasting brand to recent seasons.<\/p>\n
King said he wanted the Demons to be a \u201cbox office\u201d team that could kick 100 points in every game.<\/p>\n
Fritsch speaks glowingly of King, detailing his immediate and unwavering belief in the group.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sky is the limit,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s one thing Kingy said on day one: \u2018If you don\u2019t have an eye on the premiership, what\u2019s the point of playing?\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not saying we think we\u2019re going to win the premiership, but you\u2019ve got to have a goal and obviously that\u2019s everyone\u2019s goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you don\u2019t have the goal to win the premiership coming into day one of pre-season, then I think you\u2019re in the wrong mindset.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll keep taking it week by week, as cliche as it is, (and) keep working on our game, but I think we\u2019re in a really good spot.\u201d<\/p>\n