Melbourne forward Bayley Fritsch says he is having “good conversations” over a new deal to remain at the club.
Fritsch, 29, is in the last season of the deal he signed after a breakout 2021.
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.
Fritsch can’t see himself playing anywhere else and is hoping to make up for lost time as a late draftee.
“It’s something that’s obviously playing out behind the scenes, I think we’re in good conversations with the club,” Fritsch said.
“I don’t see myself anywhere else. Hopefully, we can get something sorted pretty soon.
“I started pretty late, I didn’t get drafted until I was 19-20, so I’d like to think I can play well into my 30s.
“I feel I’ve got a lot of good footy ahead of me. There’s still plenty of things to work on in my game and I think I’m still improving every year.”
Fritsch’s rollercoaster third quarter against Hawthorn on Saturday captured both the highs and lows of his game.
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.
Fritsch said he’d approach it differently if he had his time again, admitting he wanted another hit of appreciation from the strong Melbourne crowd.
“I was straight out to goal. Looking over my shoulder after I kicked it, it looks pretty obvious,” he said.
“But the crowd was roaring, there’s 70,000 here and I turned my back. If I had my time again, I would’ve heard him, I would’ve handballed it, but that’s footy.”
Melbourne has seven wins from 10 matches under King, playing a contrasting brand to recent seasons.
King said he wanted the Demons to be a “box office” team that could kick 100 points in every game.
Fritsch speaks glowingly of King, detailing his immediate and unwavering belief in the group.
“The sky is the limit,” he said.
“That’s one thing Kingy said on day one: ‘If you don’t have an eye on the premiership, what’s the point of playing?’
“It’s not saying we think we’re going to win the premiership, but you’ve got to have a goal and obviously that’s everyone’s goal.
“If you don’t have the goal to win the premiership coming into day one of pre-season, then I think you’re in the wrong mindset.
“We’ll keep taking it week by week, as cliche as it is, (and) keep working on our game, but I think we’re in a really good spot.”
