Josh Schache will play for Brisbane if trade to Melbourne-based team can’t be struck

BRISBANE forward Josh Schache has reassured the Lions he will return to play for them next season if a trade to a Melbourne-based team can’t be struck.

Josh Schache is happy to stay with Brisbane. Picture: Jono Searle

BRISBANE forward Josh Schache has reassured the Lions he will return to play for them next season if a trade to a Melbourne-based team can’t be struck.

Schache’s hopes of moving home to Victoria hinge on Richmond reviving the long-held interest in him or 11th-hour bids from Carlton, Hawthorn or Western Bulldogs.

The Lions remain hopeful a deal will still be completed, but they may have to accept a late first-round or second-round pick in return for the second-year goalkicker.

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Schache, 20, spoke with Lions’ coach Chris Fagan late last week to discuss the possibility of returning to the Gabba next season.

Schache’s manager, David Trotter, said there was no ill-feeling towards Brisbane and that his client would certainly honour his contract.

“All parties are working hard on getting a deal done and certainly Josh is very hopeful of playing in Melbourne next year,” Trotter said.

Josh Schache is prepared to play 2018 with Brisbane.

“If that doesn’t happen he will be happy to see out his contract in Brisbane next year.”

The former No.2 draft pick is the 14th AFL player to request a move interstate to be closer to family in this year’s trade period.

Carlton is believed to be considering the impact Schache’s arrival would have on the senior prospects of key forward Harry McKay next season.

The Blues also do not have a second-round pick to trade to Brisbane in return for Schache unless they move on star midfielder Bryce Gibbs.

The Dogs could also swoop to help replace veteran forward Travis Cloke but their priority is to solve the Jake Stringer deal.

Sources said the Crows’ hopes of securing Gibbs were still alive with the Blues still looking for another draft pick to trade to Greater Western Sydney in return for midfielder Matthew Kennedy.

The Tigers were the most keen on Schache throughout the season but their interest cooled significantly, in-line with Schache’s form, in the second half of the year.

Richmond is now adamant it will take its two first-round picks to the national draft, in part, to claim father-son midfielder Patrick Naish.

Josh Schache marks against Richmond.

Bryce Gibbs could still move to Adelaide.

Collingwood, Essendon, St Kilda and North Melbourne have all ruled themselves out of the race for the Seymour product.

Adelaide list chief Justin Reid was coy about Gibbs but said the club would look at any “win-win” deals such as Gibbs.

But Carlton list chief Stephen Silvagni said the club did not want to lose the star midfielder.

“Bryce hasn’t come to us to be traded,” Silvagni told AFL Trade Radio.

“Bryce is contracted for two years and that’s where it sits.

“We’re really happy to keep Bryce.

“We’re not trading Bryce. He’s got two years left on his contract.”