Jon Ralph goes inside the Jack Watts trade and looks at the VFL star who could replace him

TRADES don’t come much bigger than moving on a former No. 1 draft pick. But Melbourne may have already found its Jack Watts replacement heading into Round 1. And his name is Bayley Fritsch.

MELBOURNE’S bold decision to move on Jack Watts is set to draw instant rewards as bolter Bayley Fritsch closes in on a Round 1 debut.

Fritsch has been one of the finds of the pre-season, seamlessly slotting into Melbourne’s forward line after kicking 42 goals for the Casey Demons last year.

The Demons not only handed Watts to Port Adelaide for pick 31, they will pay about $70,000 of Watts’ deal for the next two years to help sweeten that trade.

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Then they swooped on Casey forward Fritsch with that selection ahead of suitor West Coast, one of many clubs keen on the 186cm forward.

Fritsch has been exceptional in two JLT games and the AFLX tournament, impressing with his silky left foot, eye for goal and strong overhead marking.

He is considered a strong chance for a Round 1 debut despite competition from fellow medium forwards Tom Bugg, Mitch Hannan and James Harmes.

Bayley Fritsch competes hard for a mark in the JLT Series. Picture: Getty Images

He has kicked four goals in two JLT contests and averaged seven score involvements and 69 ranking points.

As the Fothergill-Round Medallist, handed to the VFL’s best youngster last year, the Casey Demon looks set to emulate fellow winners Michael Hibberd, Kane Lambert, Michael Barlow and Luke Ryan.

The Demons’ decision to move on Watts was heavily criticised, with the club paying 15 per cent of his wage for the next two years.

Fans were further angered when Port Adelaide admitted they had massive room in their salary cap for player raids next year.

But the Demons handed money to Port Adelaide to ensure the trade was pick 31, not the previously offered No. 47 draft pick.

Fritsch, set to debut in a blockbuster Round 1 clash against Geelong, is an electrician from Coldstream who battled through injuries in his first two years at Casey.

Finally after overcoming back stress fractures and a knee injury, he kicked 42 goals as a mid-sized forward last year in his first injury-free season in the VFL.

Matthew Young was the Casey Demons general manager last year and says he has never seen a better talent through the club.

“He had a few injuries so he didn’t play much footy, if any, in the previous two years.

But what he did, kicking 42 goals as a small to medium forward, he has prowess and understanding of the game I haven’t seen for a while.

“From a personal view he is the most talented player we had on our list in my time being there.

Jack Watts in action for Port Adelaide during the AFLX competition. Picture: AAP Images

“He kicks the ball with depth but also (has) high skill, he can hit the short target or kick long goals.

“He can take contested marks where he never looks like marking it and in the end he is the only bloke that looked like marking it.

“He used to get up at 6am as an electrician, work all day, come to training get home to Coldstream at 9pm and then do it all over again.”

Melbourne hopes Tom McDonald will overcome a hot spot in his foot and play in Round 1, while Jordan Lewis is seen as likely to overcome a calf complaint.

While clubs once paid rival clubs to take on their players as a sign of desperation, it is increasingly a bargaining tool to help broker deals.

Geelong offered up a late pick for Watts and with Port Adelaide the only genuine bidder, Melbourne helped seal pick 31 by paying some of Watts’ salary.

Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson said recently the money was inconsequential in relation to the salary cap.

“It’s not a lot — over the total two years of his remaining contract it’s about 15 per cent,” Jackson said.

“The only football club that spoke to us about a deal in any real terms was Port Adelaide.

“Geelong made an inquiry and the offer they were mooting, we would have been crucified by Melbourne supporters if we had have accepted that.

“There was (just) one club making one offer at the end of the day, (and) I think that does say something.”