MELBOURNE’S fast finish wasn’t enough to pip the Blues in Thursday night’s practice match at Marvel Stadium, but it wasn’t all doom and gloom.

The Demons kicked nine of the last 11 goals of the match to fall just five points short of victory, showing the group is physically ready for the upcoming season.

“I think we’re in a great spot,” Fritsch told Melbourne Media.

“Selwyn (Griffith, the club’s Performance Manager) has done unbelievable this pre-season and I can’t wait to go against the Doggies.”

After facing a 45-point deficit in the early stages of the third term, the Dees were able to claw their way back into the match, but ultimately, the damage had been done.

“Obviously the first half wasn’t the way we want to play as a group and what we want to stand for,” Fritsch said.

“But especially that last quarter, to get our game going was a positive.

“Hopefully we’ll be fit and firing ready for Round 1 in 13 days.”

Having lost the clearance battle by 23 on the night, the Demons will be looking to tidy up a number of areas of their game come the season opener – and Grand Final rematch – against the Western Bulldogs.

“I thought they (Carlton) were a lot cleaner than us,” Fritsch said.

“But I thought as the game went on, we got better in that area of the game.

“I think in the first half they probably got us around the ball a little bit, in terms of contested footy.

“Carlton were good in that part of the game.

Fritsch’s individual performance was one of Melbourne’s biggest highlights for the night, with the silky half-forward booting five goals in his first appearance since last year’s premiership win.

“It was disappointing watching the boys last week and not being able to be out there,” he said.

“But it was great to be back out there in front of our fans and hopefully they can all get out against the Doggies.”

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