LIONS legend Jonathan Brown says Brisbane supporters must be patient with young gun Josh Schache if he is drafted by the Lions.
The key forward is all but certain to be taken at pick No.2 by Brisbane in the AFL national draft in Adelaide.
Carlton have the first selection and have had limited contact with Schache in the build-up to the annual meat market with the Blues set to pick key defender Jacob Weitering.
In contrast, Lions officials have visited the Schache family home in Seymour, north of Melbourne, and plan to hand him the No.23 jumper, the same number worn by his late father Laurence at the Brisbane Bears.
Schache will be the latest in a long line of wannabe forwards to be given a shot at filling the significant void left by Brown.
Brown likes everything he hears about the 199cm, 96kg prospect who dominated the national under-18 titles this year with a record 24 goals for Vic Country.
But he said the athletic, left-footer should not be burdened with too much expectation, too soon.
“I’ve only had good reports about young Josh. You hear people talk about how he is a good size with good skills and that he has a really good attitude,’’ Brown said.
“He also wants to come here too which is an important thing.
“But you have to remember that key forwards take time to develop. It takes years in the gym getting strong enough to play the position and years of being in the system to know how to use that strength and play the position properly.
“I know there is impatience with the supporters about a key forward but you have to give him time.’’
Brown said the recruitment of ex-Cats key forward Josh Walker would give Brisbane a more experienced marking target up forward while Schache and the likes of Michael Close and Jono Freeman develop.
Schache has admired Brown for a long as he can remember.
“Growing up, I idolised Browny. If I can be half the player he was, I’d be happy,’’ Schache said.
“He did a lot of very good things over a long period of time. He was an amazing player.’’
Schache said he was he was “very excited’’ about achieving a lifelong dream of being drafted into an AFL club.
