EFL 2022: Coldstream’s Darcy Fritsch realises VFL dream

Coldstream’s Darcy Fritsch thought his VFL dream was over, until an opportunity arose with Williamstown. It’s been some journey back.

IT was a dream years in the making.

Coldstream’s Darcy Fritsch “couldn’t be happier” after he broke through for a long-awaited VFL debut last Saturday with Williamstown.

It’s been some journey back into the state league ranks for the 23-year-old.

He had long harboured ambitions of another crack after injuries curtailed any chance the forward had of making an impact with Casey in 2019.

Subsequently heading back to Coldstream full-time in the Eastern league’s Division 4 – where the Fritsch name is as revered as any – the rising star got to work.

Coldstream’s Darcy Fritsch has broken through for a long-awaited VFL debut. Picture: Field of View Sports Photography

A pre-season spent training with Port Melbourne this year didn’t eventuate in a spot on the list, but a lifeline came calling with the Seagulls soon after.

“I had a lot of injuries when I was down at Casey and had thoughts about giving up on the VFL dream,” Fritsch said.

“I’ve been training at Williamstown for the last two, two-and-a-half months, (and) they gave me a bit of a task to work on my body shape so I’ve been working really hard at that.

“I knew I was close the last week or two and my opportunity arose and I took it with both hands.”

Many local footy pundits would remember Fritsch’s 20-goal haul for Coldstream in April last year.

It formed part of an outstanding campaign up forward as he kicked a leading 74 goals from 10 matches before the season was called off.

He believes the bag of 20 against Kilsyth helped set the wheels in motion for another shot at a higher level.

“That got my name out there a bit,” Fritsch said.

“I probably just got some belief in myself from that and my footy went on from there and I put together a really good season.”

It also etched another chapter in the long and storied history of the Fritsch family at Coldstream.

Father, Scott, played a record 360 games for the club – including its last senior flag in 2001.

Grandparents Dianne and John Jefcott are life members, and his mother, Pauline, has volunteered countless hours at the club.

And brother – Melbourne premiership star Bayley Fritsch – also played at the Cougars before forging his path to the big-time through the VFL.

It was with help from the Dees’ prized No. 31 that opportunity came knocking.

Melbourne’s Bayley Fritsch. Picture: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/Getty Images

Bayley had played under current Williamstown coach Justin Plapp during his days toiling away for Casey.

And it couldn’t have fallen into place any better for Darcy, who plies his trade as an electrician having recently started his own business.

He’s up and moving at the crack of dawn each day and straight down to Williamstown after work a few nights a week.

“I had a chat to ‘Plappy’ (Justin Plapp) and he was happy to have me down and have a crack at it, and it all worked out well,” Fritsch said.

“It was a big decision I had to make. I’ve just started my own business so if I wanted another crack I really had to be committed to giving it one last go now that I’m 23. I couldn’t be happier.”

Justin Plapp. Picture: AAP/ Chris Eastman

As recently as this year Fritsch thought his prospects at state level were done after receiving the news he hadn’t made the cut at the Borough.

“It was pretty devastating, I put a lot of hard work in,” he said.

“It was a pretty emotional day on Saturday, running out for the first time.

“It’s sort of been I guess four years in the making to finally get a VFL debut so it was a really happy time for me to finally get that opportunity.”

While VFL clubs may prefer players be aligned to higher division local clubs – Fritsch was aligned with Premier outfit Norwood in ‘19 – it simply wasn’t a consideration this time for the stalwart to move on from the Division 3 side.

He previously said he had “learnt to walk down there” and the place felt like “home”.

“We knocked that one (leaving Coldstream) on the head pretty early days when I first went down,” Fritsch said.

“I think when you’re happy you’re playing your best footy and they (Williamstown) were supportive of me staying at Coldstream.”

He’s played four of the Cougars’ five matches season, with the club boasting a 4-1 record following promotion from Division 4 at the end of 2021.

And the club couldn’t be prouder of a favourite son.

“It’s good to be giving the next division a shake, there’s still a long way to go but it’s a really good start for us,” Fritsch said.

“I think all the coaches have always known that that (VFL) was my end goal and dream to get to that level, if not further.

“They’ve always supported me and pushed to get the best out of me.”