Melbourne forward Bayley Fritsch has been tipped as the latest Demon to potentially depart the club at season’s end.
The 28-year-old is contracted until the end of next year, but with the Dees facing a potential mini rebuild as they stare down the barrel of yet another bottom six finish, many believe Melbourne might look to move a handful of senior players in favour of stockpiling draft picks.
"Bayley Fritsch is a fascinating one for me,” Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary said on Tuesday’s episode of The Agenda Setters.
“Kicked six goals in a grand final. I reckon there's a market for a player like Bayley Fritsch. So to Clayton Oliver. What happens to Christian Petracca?”
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In the midst of a down year, Fritsch has played a limited role at times during his eighth season of senior footy, activated as a sub when the Dees need a spark up forward.
Still in the prime of his career, the 165-gamer booted three goals in last week’s win over North Melbourne, helping boost an attack that has struggled for consistency for the second year running.
"These aren't just middle-tier players, these are premiership players. So a big off-season is ahead for the Dees,” Cleary added.
Melbourne’s forward line has been the subject of scrutiny as they continue to lack a go-to target inside 50. Jacob van Rooyen hasn’t panned out as the key forward the club hoped when they drafted him 19th overall in 2021, forcing new million dollar man Kozzie Pickett into more of a forward role with the aging Jake Melksham on the verge of turning 34.
Cleary was adamant that Fritsch wouldn’t be at Melbourne starting next year, going as far as saying that this coming offseason could be a serious turning point for a club that has gone wayward since winning the flag in 2020.
"I think they have the most fascinating off-season ahead, because Simon Goodwin has put it on the record saying this is a team in transition," Cleary said.