Brisbane Lions dump Josh Schache, welcome back Dayne Beams after losing Tom Rockliff

BRISBANE takes a brave stance dropping out-of-form and out-of-contract key forward Josh Schache, but the Lions regain Dayne Beams for their clash against Adelaide.

The Lions regain star midfielder Dayne Beams. Picture: Getty Images

BRAVE Brisbane have bitten the bullet and dropped out-of-form and out-of-contract key forward Josh Schache for Saturday’s clash with Adelaide at the Gabba.

Previous Lions administrations would have taken the soft option and kept a struggling player like Schache in the senior side hoping it helped with negotiations.

But under the new Gabba regime, you perform or perish, regardless of your reputation or contract status.

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ANSWER SOON: SCHACHE SET TO DECIDE FUTURE BY BYE

Schache was barely sighted in the 38-point loss to Hawthorn last Saturday with no goals, no behinds, eight disposals, three marks and two inside 50 entries to continue his lacklustre campaign.

The No.2 selection from the 2015 draft has registered six goals in six games this season when he has been significantly overshadowed by fellow key forward Eric Hipwood.

Contract decisions are clearly weighing heavily on his mind, with the 19-year-old playing well below his best football which has the potential to drive down his asking price.

Lions forward Josh Schache has been dropped. Picture: Getty Images

Schache is set to make a call on his future during Brisbane’s bye week with a number of Victorian clubs keen to secure his services.

If he departed, Brisbane would not be heartbroken as they would probably get at least two high draft picks in a trade and still have Hipwood on their books.

Schache, Tom Rockliff (shoulder) and Rohan Bewick (omitted) drop out of the side that fell to the Hawks, with captain Dayne Beams, Hugh McCluggage and Matt Hammelmann coming back into the senior side.

Beams missed the past two matches with a quad injury, while McCluggage was rested last week when Hammelmann knocked down the door to the senior side with five goals in the NEAFL.

The return of Beams cancels out the loss of Rockliff.

Meanwhile, the Brisbane women’s side have re-signed a host of players from the squad that qualified for the inaugural AFLW grand final.

Captain Emma Zielke and marquee signing Sabrina Frederick-Traub have recommitted for 2018 along with Alexandra Anderson, Brittany Gibson, Breanna Koenen, Tahlia Randall, Jamie Stanton, Sharni Webb and Jess Wuetschner.

Originally published as Brisbane Lions dump Josh Schache, welcome back Dayne Beams after losing Tom Rockliff