THIS weekend will see Bayley Fritsch play his 150th game for the red and blue, a momentous feat for the 28-year-old whose career has seen an unconventional rise to success.
Fritsch was drafted to Melbourne in 2017 via selection No.31 and was a mature-age pick (aged 20) from the Casey Demons.
From the get-go, there was a solid foundation of faith within the new player. During his first few months, he was given the jumper number 31, made famous by one of the game’s greats and club legend Ron Barassi.
This honour wasn’t lost on Fritsch, and he quickly took his AFL opportunity with both hands and has now become an integral member of Melbourne’s 23. Since his first season in 2018, he’s been Melbourne’s leading goal-kicker in five of the seven seasons (2020-2024), kicking a career-high 59 goals during 2021.
While there’s been so many memorable moments within these last seven years at the Dees, in preparation for his milestone game on Sunday, we’ve taken a look back at some of his biggest goal hauls over his career.
1. Grand Final v Western Bulldogs | 2021
It’s no surprise that Fritsch’s 2021 Grand Final performance sits atop the list of his career moments that’s most memorable.
It doesn’t get much bigger than kicking six goals on the competition’s biggest stage, in a drought-breaking premiership win.
Fritsch’s performance was arguably match-making, with his consistent impact across the game heavily influencing the 74-point win. He kicked two goals during the first quarter to give the Demons an early lead.
The crafty forward then crucially kicked two goals during the all-important third quarter when Melbourne needed a spark to start its comeback, and then to put a cherry on top of the already powerful display, he helped seal the premiership with two more scores in the final term.
2. Round 22 v Adelaide | 2021
Prior to the six-goal grand final, Fritsch had already given fans a little teaser into the depths of his talent.
During Round 22 of the 2021 season, Melbourne was fighting for top spot in its last few games before finals. Facing Adelaide at the MCG, Fritsch wowed with a whopping seven-goal haul. Not only was it a career-high, but he proved his sharp-shooter skills, kicking the seven straight goals from 16 disposals. Four of his goals came crucially in the final term, pushing his team to a 41-point win.
3. Round 7 v North Melbourne | 2021
In a trip down to Tasmania, Melbourne edged out a plucky North Melbourne to win by 30 points at Ninja Stadium. Despite it being Ben Brown’s club debut, it was Fritsch who shone in the interstate victory, walking away with a huge six-goal haul.
4. Round 24 v Sydney | 2023
In a must-win game for both teams during Round 24, Melbourne and Sydney battled it out at the SCG, with Fritsch inspiring his side to a 21-point triumph in opposition territory.
Trailing by four points at the last break, Melbourne needed someone to kickstart the last battle. Enter Fritsch. In his first game back from a foot injury that sidelined him for nearly seven weeks, Fritsch kicked into gear in the final term and reminded fans just how integral he is, booting three of his five goals and sealing the victory.
5. Round 2 v Hawthorn | 2024
During Round 2 of last season Fritsch starred in a dominant victory from Melbourne. Facing off against Hawks’ star defender and skipper James Sicily, Fritsch stood tall in the Dees forward line, booting five goals and spurring his side on to a 55-point win at the ‘G.
