What He Will Bring - Josh Schache

With just 30 seconds left during the AFL Trade Period, the Western Bulldogs left it late to find a goalkicking replacement for Jake Stringer, but nevertheless managed to snaffle homesick Brisbane forward Josh Schache right at the death. Despite having signed a new two-year extension earlier in the season, Schache was reportedly keen to repay the faith that Brisbane had invested in him, but the lure of being able to return home proved to be too much, and he eventually managed to secure a move home.

THE TRADE:

Western Bulldogs Receive:

Josh Schache

Brisbane Lions Receive:

Pick 25 Pick 40

WHAT WE SAID:

“We have been looking at him (Schache) for a while, and having discussions and we became really keen at the start of this week. Josh is really happy. He will thank the Brisbane Lions for the last two years…but he was really keen to get home and we were keen to facilitate that.

“We think the glass is half-full (with Josh). He’s a young player. He’s got some work to do in areas of his game, [but] we really think we can help his development.” - Western Bulldogs Director of Football Chris Grant

2017 SEASON:

Schache struggled for form in Season 2017, although that was to be expected from a young key forward in a side that finished on the bottom of the ladder. Across 10 games, Schache booted 9.6, kicking multiple goals on four occasions. He also averaged a mark inside-50 per game in 2017. It was a below-average follow up to his debut season, where he played 17 games for 16.18, where he also laid 26 tackles and record 21 contested marks and 24 marks inside-50 for the year. Clearly, though, this a young forward that has plenty of potential.

WHAT WILL HE BRING?

The Bulldogs will be thrilled with their work in securing Schache for the loss of not very much. With the departure of enigmatic forward Jake Stringer, the Bulldogs needed to be able to secure a key forward that could hold down the fort in what was a desperately struggling forward line in Season 2017. In Schache, whilst the Bulldogs haven’t drafted a quick-fix solution to their attacking woes, they have secured a long-term prospect that has the potential to be a really damaging key forward. Whilst Stringer was a big, powerful forward, he didn’t quite have the height to back it up, and whenever he was isolated inside-50, was heavily undersized as the main forward target, and his direct opponent used his height advantage to render Stringer ineffective. Schache, however, stands at 199cm, and whilst he lacks the explosive power of Stringer, he makes up for it with his reach, and as a result, he presents as much more of a conventional key forward than Stringer.

A terrific contested mark and a prodigious set shot, Schache could make a big difference to the Bulldogs forward line. Source: Getty Images

Additionally, the arrival of Schache provides much-needed depth in the key forward department. Stringer’s departure is just the tip of a concerning iceberg, with Stewart Crameri and Travis Cloke also leaving the club during the off-season. It suddenly leaves Schache as the front-runner to assume the full-forward role, and will provide Tom Boyd will much-needed support in the forward line as well. Whilst the preference would be for Boyd to be a permanent forward, should he be required to fulfill ruck duties, then at least the Bulldogs will still have a strong, big-bodied forward who can compete.

However, the youngster will almost certainly need to hit the gym during the off-season. The word is that Schache had lost 3kg of fat during the break - which is a terrific start - but will need to add some muscle to those toothpick arms before he can start to dominate games of football. But he might not need to add massive amounts of muscle to his frame, because if Tom Boyd were to be a more stay-at-home forward, it would allow Schache to roam across the half-forward line and up to the wing, being able to make himself the bail-out option should we opt to blaze away down the line. As long as he competes and brings the ball to ground (something that the Bulldogs failed to do last season), then Schache is fulfilling his job every week.

But perhaps the most important part of Schache’s game is that he is an exceptionally accurate kick for goal. Whilst a career tally of 25.24 doesn’t sound particularly promising, he has received rave reviews for his set shot goalkicking, which will come as music to the ears of Bulldogs fans who were forced to see their team waste multiple guilt-edged opportunities in front of goal on more than one occasion last year.

DID YOU KNOW?

Schache will be familiar with a couple of current Bulldogs teammates before he even sets foot inside the Western Oval. In the Under 18’s, Schache played alongside Josh Dunkley and Kieran Collins.

Already familiar with Josh Dunkley and Kieran Collins, Schache has also reportedly bonded well with fellow forward Tom Boyd in the first few training sessions. Source: Western Bulldogs