MELBOURNE head coach Simon Goodwin has confirmed the return of Bayley Fritsch following seven weeks sidelined with a foot injury.  

The No.31 has been the Dees' leading goal kicker since 2020, slotting 148 goals over the last three seasons.  

Fritsch’s injury occurred in the Round 16 loss in Alice Springs against GWS.  

Bayley Fritsch set for return. 

“He's done a power of work. Clearly, he's got to get through training today, but we’re really confident of that,” Goodwin said.  

“We feel like he’s ready to go and he’s an important player for us. 

“So, we’ll get him in the team this week and look forward to seeing his best, he’s a high-quality player that’s really important for us.”   

Forward line connections. 

Jake Melksham has been leant upon following Fritsch’s injury.  

Melksham has booted 13 majors since round 16 and has firmly set his place into the side.  

“They can definitely play together, they’ve done it before so we’re quite excited by the combination.” Goodwin said.  

“Jake’s a unique player, he plays both tall and small and they play a very similar way.  

“They both have a great impact in the game, and we feel they both can work really well together. 

“They’re both incredibly smart in terms of their patters, leading and air to ground, they’re going to be a challenge for any teams defence.”  

Playing the best finals footy possible.  

With the top four spots still not set, every team will be looking to secure a home final spot.  

The Demons take on the Sydney Swans this weekend who are locked into finals, with all eyes on the remaining games of the weekend to decide the final ladder positions.  

“We’re a team and a club that’s full of competitors, we want to play our best footy all the time,” Goodwin added.  

“We don’t really worry about where we play and who we play, we just want to make sure out games in really good shape. 

“I’ll let other people worry about what’s best and those scenarios change all the time, we just control what we can and play our best footy.”