Melbourne based clubs believe Josh Schache could request a trade out of Brisbane this year

MELBOURNE clubs believe Josh Schache is still gettable — despite the Brisbane Lion re-signing for two years just 12 weeks ago. Which clubs are likely to chase him?

Josh Schache of the Brisbane Lions.

MELBOURNE clubs believe Josh Schache is still gettable — despite the Brisbane Lion re-signing for two years just 12 weeks ago.

Schache, 20, will on Tuesday pack up his car and begin motoring from Brisbane to Seymour while his teammates prepare for the NEAFL grand final against Sydney’s reserves.

The No.2 draft pick was “rested” from Saturday’s preliminary final victory at the Gabba and he will not play in the premiership decider, to be contested at the SCG after Saturday’s AFL elimination final.

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A host of Victorian clubs are on the hunt for key forwards like Schache.

Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs want more firepower while Hawthorn still needs a target after Ty Vickery’s disappointing season.

Richmond was the frontrunner for Schache before he recommitted to the Gabba as the Tigers search for a Jack Riewoldt co-pilot.

Brisbane Lions forward Josh Schache will miss this weekend’s NEAFL grand final.

Carlton was also interested in Schache and with North Melbourne’s Jarrad Waite a chance to retire, Schache could fit in at the cashed-up Kangas.

The Lions said Schache was too fatigued to play and approved his request to go home.

“We trained him on the weekend and he got through, but he’s cooked,’’ football boss David Noble told the Herald Sun.

“His GPS data tells us that, so it was an easy decision.’’

While Schache was pegged as Jonathan Brown’s successor when he was drafted in 2015, the emergence of academy star Eric Hipwood has eased that pressure.

Schache attended Friday night’s best-and-fairest count, leaving early with his NEAFL teammates who were preparing for the preliminary final.

Schache’s manager, David Trotter from McDonald Sports, on Monday denied suggestions the fluent set-shot was set to request a trade home to Victoria.

There is a level of sympathy for Schache at the Lions after he endured a season of relentless pressure and headlines.

Schache was also granted personal leave mid-season as he weighed up whether to recommit to the Lions or seek a trade.

He returned from Seymour and quickly extended his contract to 2019, surprising the football world as well as club powerbrokers.

“It was good to get back home for a little bit. It wore me out a little bit in the first half of the season,” Schache said at the time.

Josh Schache celebrates a goal for the Lions. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

“I feel really energised at the moment and really excited to tackle the second half of the season.”

Schache’s signature was seen as a major fillip for Brisbane, where his late father Laurence played 29 games.

The 199cm spearhead has kicked 25.24 from 27 games in two seasons.

Despite re-signing, some at the Lions fear he could have a change of heart when he returns home this week.

Should his situation change, the Lions could ramp up their registered interest in Collingwood’s Mason Cox.

The out-of-contract Magpie’s season finished with Saturday’s VFL finals defeat.

Originally published as Melbourne based clubs believe Josh Schache could request a trade out of Brisbane this year