Richmond is interested in re-signed Brisbane Lion Josh Schache
RICHMOND and Brisbane have spoken about what a trade for Josh Schache might look like plus the latest on Jake Lever, Bryce Gibbs and who could be squeezed out at GWS.
Richmond
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JOSH Schache is again in Richmond’s sights as the Tigers chase a second key forward who can eventually take over from champion spearhead Jack Riewoldt.
Tigers and Lions officials have already spoken informally about what a trade for Schache could look like.
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It would almost certainly include one of Richmond’s first draft picks — currently 15 and 16 — as the key plank in sending the young goalkicker to Punt Rd.
The Lions are open to trading Schache, 20, despite re-signing the goalkicker until 2019 just three months ago.
Richmond’s two first-round selections will fall between 15-17, depending on who wins the premiership.
One could be used for Schache and the other used to secure father-son prospect Patrick Naish.
The son of 161-gamer Chris Naish is a penetrating right-footer who is likely to command a bid before Richmond’s first selection, and possibly inside the top 10.
Despite a lean season, Schache would appeal to several Victorian clubs. The No. 2 draft pick kicked nine goals from 10 matches and returned home to Seymour twice.
Schache drove there instead of playing in the NEAFL premiership this month and some teammates suspect he will not return to the Gabba.
The fluent set-shot has endured a demanding season mentally and the Lions said this month he was physically “cooked”.
The Herald Sun revealed in March that Richmond was targeting Schache.
Tigers football manager Neil Balme rejected the story, although Dan Richardson confirmed the club’s interest mid-season.
“Yeah that (story) was interesting. I think the competition has come a long way so that you can tell stories that you don’t have to justify, it’s fantastic,” a sarcastic Balme said on March 30.
“It’s much more important to get the story than to get it right.”
Jake Lever could play his final game for Adelaide on Friday night with the intercepting defender set to request a trade back to Victoria, most likely to Melbourne.
The Crows are expected to ask for two first-round picks as compensation. The Demons hold pick 10, although clubs will be hesitant to trade their 2018 first-round selections given the quality of next year’s talent pool.
The 2018 draft is seen as much stronger than this year’s draft.
A bountiful trade for Lever would boost Adelaide’s hopes of prising the contracted Bryce Gibbs out of Carlton, with the Blues set to again play hardball.
Geelong does not enter the draft until pick 20 as it courts Gary Ablett, Jake Stringer and Devon Smith.
Smith, from Lara, and Matt Kennedy could be squeezed out of Greater Western Sydney after it re-signed Josh Kelly on a two-year contract worth about $1.7 million.
INDICATIVE DRAFT ORDER
1. Brisbane Lions
2. Gold Coast
3. Carlton
4. North Melbourne
5. Fremantle
6. Collingwood
7. St Kilda
8. St Kilda
9. Western Bulldogs
10. Melbourne
11. Essendon
12. Brisbane Lions
13. West Coast
14. Sydney
15. Richmond
16. Richmond
17. Adelaide
18. Brisbane Lions
19. Gold Coast
20. Geelong
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