Under-18 National Championships: Josh Schache kicks six goals in Vic Country’s win over South Australia
VIC Country goalkicker Josh Schache has confirmed he would be a deserved No. 1 pick along with teammate Jacob Weitering after booting six goals.
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HARRY Taylor or Travis Cloke?
That is the tantalising question this year’s wooden-spooner could be asked with Vic Country goalkicker Josh Schache on Friday confirming he would be a deserved No. 1 pick along with teammate Jacob Weitering.
South Australian Aaron Francis — a 190cm halfback dasher whose style and body language has mirrored Brendon Goddard — gave Schache too much space on Friday and was powerless to stop the set-shot wizard as he walked off Simonds Stadium with 6.2.
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Francis needs to improve his endurance but after his breakout carnival they are the clear top three players in a very thin draft and recruiters on Friday believed the ladder would dictate the top of the order.
They believed Weitering — an intercept marking machine who won 13 disposals and eight marks as Vic Country secured its first under-18 title since 2010 — remained at the top of Carlton’s wish list.
But the Brisbane Lions are targeting goalkickers and might rate Schache as their next forward saviour, following Jonathan Brown’s retirement.
The Seymour product’s dad played 29 games for Brisbane Bears and he said his flush kicking, which resembles a fluent golf swing, was remodelled last pre-season.
Schache spent a week living and training with Cloke and said: “I look up to him and base my game on him”.
The 199cm, 96kg target will crucially line up on Weitering and his hulking defensive sidekick Kieran Collins in the TAC Cup next month.
Weitering feels more comfortable in defence and said his greatest strength was reading the ball flight, ala Geelong’s Taylor.
“I’m not going to lie, it’s a dream come true to have your name up in lights as (the possible No. 1 pick),” he said.
“Since a young age I’ve been able to read the game pretty well. I’m not an overly big fella — I’m 195cm — but I give away a few kgs.”
Weitering said Schache was “one of those unstoppable forwards” when he gets his big frame in front.
Blues list manager Stephen Silvagni watched hard-working halfback and father-son prospect Bailey Rice lead the disposal count for Vic Country with 18 and son Jack kick a neat goal for Vic Metro.
Rice is also eligible at St Kilda while Silvagni watched on with football boss Andrew McKay and director of coaching Rob Wiley.
In a draft littered with key-position talent, Country’s Harry McKay continued his rise.
The Tom Lynch-type has bolted up the charts and claimed five marks playing in front of Schache.
Sudanese project player Gach Nyuon — who lived in two refugee camps before relocating to Australia — won the ruck against South Australia and is suddenly a live draft chance.
Grunt midfielder Rhys Mathieson said he models his game on Joel Selwood and dominated clearances for Country in the 11-point win.
“We you’ve got Gach Nyuon hitting it down your throat — he’s probably been the best ruckman in the carnival — you’re going to get first use,” Mathieson said.
Western Australia’s Callum Ah Chee — brother of Port Adelaide’s Brendon — dazzled with 13 disposals, five score involvements and looks a Chad Wingard-type.
The Sandgropers completed a 96-point turnaround from a fortnight ago against a disappointing Metro, winning by 22 points.
The national carnival wraps ups at Etihad Stadium on Thursday.
Originally published as Under-18 National Championships: Josh Schache kicks six goals in Vic Country’s win over South Australia
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