Collingwood, Carlton and Richmond have a dilemma after Josh Schache re-signed with Brisbane
THE surprise re-signing of Josh Schache has forced a trio of clubs desperate to lure a key forward to shift their targets. So who do they go for?
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A TRIO of Victorian clubs desperate to lure a key forward will have to shift targets after the surprise re-signing of Brisbane’s Josh Schache.
A series of heart-to-hearts with his family and manager in Seymour convinced Schache to sign a new two-year deal with the Lions.
It was a huge boost for the 18th-placed Lions, attempting to stop a player drain and aware Victorian clubs would throw huge money at the No.2 pick of the 2015 draft.
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The Lions have finished better than 10th just once in the past 13 seasons — their sole top-eight appearance in 2009.
Carlton, Collingwood and Richmond are intent on shoring up their key forward stocks and have salary cap room to burn.
They will now shift their targets to the shrinking pool of uncontracted key-position players or pivot to lure a contracted player to their clubs.
Carlton’s Levi Casboult and Sydney free agent Sam Reid head that queue, with Adelaide’s Mitch McGovern also out of contract.
Hawthorn’s Jack Gunston has been raised by commentators as a player the Hawks must consider trading to freshen their list.
But at 25 and having only last year signed a new deal, the Hawks have no interest in doing so.
Schache returned to the Lions from a two-week break having discussed his position with mother Rachel and manager David Trotter.
Despite interest from rivals the timeline for his decision had always been at the midpoint of the season.
When he got back to Brisbane on Monday he had already made up his mind to stay, with negotiations quickly completed.
“Having been at the Lions for a couple of years and seeing where we are headed, I’m really excited about our future,” said Schache.
“I enjoy living in Brisbane and playing footy with a committed and hard working group.”
The club is also hopeful of securing free agent Tom Rockliff.
Trotter, always adamant no other club had offered Schache a contract, said the commitment was not a dramatic change of heart.
“The message the whole way along was to sit down at the midpoint of the season. Going home allowed him to have a few of those conversations and he was really happy to jump on board again.”
Carlton’s Casboult told the Herald Sun last month he would only consider contract talks at the end of the year.
He was a Carlton supporter growing up but with improved accuracy this year (17.4) is a much more attractive proposition.
Sydney says it has had contract discussions with free agent Reid, with the Victorian kicking 15 goals before Thursday night.
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But he has never kicked more than 31 goals in a season and had only four goals in his last six weeks before the clash against the Bulldogs.
Richmond will be desperate to lure another key tall despite its exceptional performances in a forward line built around Jack Riewoldt.
Riewoldt turns 29 in October and having lost Ty Vickery to free agency, backup Ben Griffiths has serious concussion issues and no other key forward has emerged.
St Kilda forward Patrick McCartin has only just fought his way back into the Saints forward line amid speculation he might be a trade target.
But with Nick Riewoldt battling knee issues and McCartin playing seniors he would seem less likely to want a new home.
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