Josh Schache granted leave by Brisbane but it’s not related to his contract status, his manager says

JOSH Schache’s manager says fatigue is behind the Lions granting him leave and it is not a sign of his future movements. Meanwhile CEO Greg Swann says the club won’t turn its back on him.

Josh Schache has been given leave by the Lions. Picture: Getty

JOSH Schache’s manager says his mid-season rest from all football will help him recharge his batteries and is not a contract ultimatum.

The much-scrutinised key forward has returned to Victorian country town Seymour with his family and won’t play NEAFL this weekend.

The Lions NEAFL side has a bye the following week, which gives him several weeks of rest before attacking the second half of the year.

He collected only four possessions last week in the second-tier competition and looked flat and tired as his contract impasse grows.

But his manager David Trotter told the Herald Sun on Wednesday his break was consistent with the Lions’ policy with their younger players.

Josh Schache has been given leave by the Lions. Picture: Getty

Last year’s top-five selection Hugh McCluggage was also rested recently given the demands of football.

The Lions have put forward a contract offer to the No. 2 pick of the 2015 draft but he is content to allow the season to continue before considering his future.

Richmond has confirmed its interest in the left-footed key forward, while Carlton’s Andrew McKay said this week the club wanted to bolster its key forward stocks.

“It is more than they are giving him a rest because everyone watching him play, he looks a bit fatigued. They did it with McCluggage and they will do it with a few of their other youngsters,’’ Trotter said.

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“They said is this something that will help him? His mum and brother were up on the weekend and they said why don’t you just go home with them? It is not related to his contract.”

Lions chief executive Greg Swann this morning told SEN that the club is not turning its back on Schache and will continue to consider him for senior selection.

When asked if a red line had been nput through the 20-year-old’s name, Swanns said: “Not at all.

“In any of these situations form will dictate.

“We certainly haven’t given up that he’ll be staying.

“He hasn’t said he’s up and leaving and from our point of view he’s our player and until we know otherwise we’ll treat him as such.”

Brisbane football boss David Noble said Schache’s break had nothing to do with his contract situation.

“It’s just a rest program. He is having a few days back home, it’s absolutely not a case of him having two weeks to make a decision on his contract, it’s nothing to do with it,” Noble told the Herald Sun.

“His form is not great, he is a bit worn out and we have to manage these young guys with their loads, so we said go home for a few days and come back next week.

Josh Schache has struggled in his second season as speculation surrounding his future grows. Picture: Jono Searle

“We have never had a time limit (on a decision) or anything like that. We are in constant dialogue with his manager David Trotter.”

Trotter is adamant he has never talked figures with interested parties despite reports the Tigers could offer him $700,000 a season.

Brisbane Lions legend Jonathan Brown said this week the club had to pay Schache whatever it took to retain him given the recent exodus of star talent.

But fellow triple premiership player Alastair Lynch said on Wednesday that approach only had an inflationary effect on the club’s list.

Lions chief executive Greg Swann has bemoaned the line-up of player managers requesting extra cash for their players to stay in the state.

But AFL footballer operations manager Simon Lethlean says there is no chance of a salary cap dispensation to help the Lions retain players in the state.

Originally published as Josh Schache granted leave by Brisbane but it’s not related to his contract status, his manager says