AFL draft 2015: Josh Schache ready to give Lions a shake just like his dad

HE was a certainty to head to the Gabba, but new Brisbane recruit Josh Schache was in a state of shock as his childhood dream came true.

24/11/15 - AFL Draft 2015 - Joshua Schache Pick 2 to Brisbane Lions - Picture Simon Cross

HE was a certainty to head to the Gabba, but new Brisbane recruit Josh Schache was in a state of shock as his childhood dream came true.

The towering key forward was always expected to be taken by the Lions with pick No.2 at the AFL national draft and there were no surprises at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Carlton took key defender Jacob Weitering with pick No.1 and Brisbane senior coach Justin Leppitsch read out Schache’s name next to complete an emotional journey to the same club as his late father Laurence.

Laurence Schache played for the Brisbane Bears in 1991-92 and passed away in 2002 due to a rare heart condition when Josh was five-years-old.

The 199cm-tall, 96kg Schache said he was honoured to be given the chance to continue the family name at Brisbane but also wanted to etch out his own niche in the AFL.

“I’m still shocked, to be honest. It’s been my dream my whole life to get drafted and to get drafted to Brisbane is very exciting,’’ he said.

“To play at the club my dad played at is amazing but it’s important to me that I make my own way.

“I’ve tried to get to this moment my whole life and the last few years there’s been a lot of talk about getting drafted and it was great to finally see it happen tonight.

“I can’t wait to get up there and meet all the boys and get stuck into training.

“I want to play senior footy as soon as a I can but I have to leave that up to the coaches are thinking but I’m eager to get out there.’’

Lions coach Justin Leppitsch with No.2 pick Joshua Schache. Picture: Simon Cross

Schache was the best key forward in the draft after a stellar 2015.

He won the Larke Medal for the best player in the national under 18 titles after kicking a record 24 goals for Vic Country.

He also added 34 goals in seven games for the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup.

Boasting elite endurance and a beautiful left-foot kick, Schache has been likened to Collingwood spearhead Travis Cloke.

The Lions completed a successful night by also securing Academy players Eric Hipwood and Ben Keays.

Richmond bid for Hipwood, a 202cm key position player from Caloundra, at pick 14 but Brisbane matched the bid with the points from selections 36 and 37.

Silky Morningside midfielder Keays was selected by the Western Bulldogs at pick 24 but the Lions matched the bid to send him to the Gabba.

Schache, Hipwood and Keays were all selected in the All-Australian under 18 team in 2015 and were all members of the elite AFL Academy.

“I know Eric and Ben. They are great players and great blokes and it will be great to play alongside them,’’ Schache said.

The Gold Coast Suns snapped up another excitement machine in high-flying half-forward Callum Ah Chee with pick No.8.

The West Australian burst to prominence with a spectacular mark for the AFL Academy side at the MCG in April when he also kicked two goals and gathered 19 possessions against VFL side the Northern Blues.

Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade with pick No.8 Callum Ah Chee. Picture: Getty Images

Quick, agile and skilful, the 181cm, 72kg Ah Chee also impressed playing senior football for South Fremantle in the WAFL this year.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be drafted,” Ah Chee said.

“I was over the moon when my name was read out. It was awesome.

“It is a great club, it is an exciting club and it’s on the way up.’’

The Suns also recruited Vic Metro midfielders Brayden Fiorini with pick No.20 and Joshua Schoenfeld with selection No.34, along with Tasmanian wingman Mackenzie Willis with pick No.52.

Weitering is a ready-made AFL player and is set to play in Round 1 for the Blues but was soaking up the honour of being a No.1 draft pick.

“It’s an amazing opportunity I’ve been given,” he said.

Originally published as AFL draft 2015: Josh Schache ready to give Lions a shake just like his dad