AFTER two consistent seasons, Melbourne’s Bayley Fritsch is eager to step up his game in 2020.

The 22-year-old, who has played 45 games for the Demons, will aim to further develop his strengths and cohesion with the group, setting himself for a big year.

“[My focus is] probably just building my running base again, [taking it] to another level,” Fritsch told Melbourne Media.

“[I want to] build my forward craft to become a really hard player to play on, and work really well with all the other forwards.”

Fritsch, who is entering his third pre-season, returned to the club last week alongside his fellow first to fourth year teammates.

With a two-week head start on Melbourne’s senior players, who are officially due back on Monday, the young group have been making the most of the extra time together.

“[We’re] just getting a good fit base early and getting into the right habits,” Fritsch said.

“Then when the five-plus years boys come back, we’re into it and into the big, full ground drills.

“The vibe’s good around the boys and it’s good getting stuck into a bit of training.”

The group returned with a fair amount of work already under their belts, after following a specific off-season program set by new Performance Manager Darren Burgess.

While the programs were a little different to years gone by, Fritsch said he is already seeing the benefits on the track.

“It was a bit of a change up from my first two years, but it’s always good to change it up a little bit – keeps you fresh,” he said.

“Everyone’s come back in good shape – a few boys are flying, so it’s good to see.

“I got through it, so it was good.”

Fritsch, who has been joined by some keen senior players ahead of schedule, will now prepare to train with the whole playing group on Monday.

And with a strong pre-season a focus for the Demons, he is expecting things to ramp up.

“I’m tipping it will go up a fair notch [next week],” he said.

“I’d say we’d have a time trial on Monday and the kilometres will go from probably 10 or 11, to probably 12 or 13.

“It will be pretty full on, but I’m looking forward to it.”