By Dongyun Kwon
One of the senior team captains of Coldstream Football and Netball Club (FNC) put his name in the club’s history.
Darcy Fritsch kicked 100 goals in the 2024 season, and it’s record-breaking as no one from his club has kicked this many goals in a single season.
Fritsch was humble about his record and gave all the credit to his teammates.
He said it was amazing to break the record but he could have done it thanks to the team effort.
“It’s obviously a great individual achievement but our midfield is the real secret of my achievement,” the footballer said.
“We’ve got a really good midfield which pretty much wins the ball and feeds it down to me.”
As his team nearly got relegated from Division 3 last year, they wanted to do better this season aiming at advancing to the finals.
Coldstream had a great season, finishing fourth place in the ladder and winning the first finals in about 20 years.
Fritsch shone on and off the field with his fabulous performance and leadership.
Coach Jarrod Bayliss said Fritsch’s leadership in his first year as captain has been exceptional.
“He rallied the boys, and he was an absolute huge support to me this year,” he said.
“But it’s never a one-man army.
“He has good players around him who fed him every week and gave him the opportunity to get where he is.”
Despite the hard work by Fritsch and his teammates, Coldstream Seniors got knocked out of the finals by Knox Seniors in the second round of finals on Sunday 25 August.
Fritsch said his team was confident for the game against Knox because they had beaten them twice throughout the year in the home and away season.
“It was disappointing. We believe we had a good side to go the whole way and win the grand final,” Fritsch said.
“We started probably better than we did against Oakleigh [in the first round of finals where Coldstream won].
“There was a big breeze to one end that we had in the first quarter. We weren’t able to capitalise, and we kicked a lot of points which, in the end, hurt us.
“Knox got a role on and played a really good game, and they were the better team on the day.”
The coach said although he is disappointed at his team’s result at the finals, he is happy with the positive outcome Fritsch achieved.
“It’s a huge milestone, not only for himself but for the footy club,” he said.
“He’s a special guy with a big heart. He always turns out with a good mindset and a positive attitude.
“There’s no surprise that he got the result that he did throughout the season, it’s an exceptional effort.”
Football has always been in Fritsch’s blood as his whole family has connected with the Coldstream FNC for about half-century.
Fritsch said he grew up with footy.
“My dad has played 360 games for Coldstream, and he holds the record for the most games for Coldstream,” he said.
“My mum helps around the club, and my grandparents have been around the club for probably 50 years.
“My grandpa was the president, and my nana was the treasurer.”
Darcy Fritsch’s brother is Bayley Fritsch who plays for Melbourne Demons in the AFL.
“We’ve never actually played a game of football together because we’re two years apart in age,” the Coldstream footballer said.
“It’s been good to go on the journey together and good to watch him go all the way to the AFL now.
“I hope he’ll come back and play with me for Coldstream one day.”
