AFL national talent manager, Kevin Sheehan, has told lions.com.au he is confident the Lions are primed to recruit some of the country’s best young talent in this year’s Draft.
The Lions will enter this year’s NAB AFL Draft in Adelaide on Tuesday 24 November determined to recruit young talent capable of helping turn the Club’s fortunes around in the not-too-distant future.
Jacob Weitering (Dandenong Stingrays) and Josh Schache (Murray Bushrangers) have been touted as top two picks at this year’s Draft.
For the first time in the Lions’ merged history, the Club will be armed with the second selection overall (Pick No.2)
and have expressed interest in the son of a former Lion, Schache.
Schache’s father Laurence (who passed away from cardio amyloidosis, a rare heart disease in 2002 when Josh was only five) played 29 games for the Brisbane Bears in 1991-92. In his first season, he led the club's goal kicking, booting 47 in 17 games.
Laurence was delisted at the end of 1992, but went on to star in the SANFL for Woodville-West Torrens, playing in the club's first premiership in 1993, before knee injuries forced his retirement.
“He’s been talked up as a prospect that may end up in Brisbane,” Sheehan said.
“He’s a boy of nearly 200cm, a key forward, a magnificent kick in the mould of Matthew Lloyd in terms of his technique.”
Sheehan believes Hyundai Lions Academy prospects Eric Hipwood and Ben Keays will be valuable additions to the Lions’ list if drafted.
“Eric’s one of the exciting young players out of Queensland in this year’s draft, he kicked three goals in that grand final (Aspley vs. Northern Territory).
“He made All Australian during the year playing for Queensland, plays at either end of the ground.
“A left footer, he’s not unlike a Harris Andrews in terms of his shape and type. Lightly built but will develop.
“He along with Ben Keays, your other young gun that made All Australian selection during the year.
“It’s exciting times ahead, an emerging state league, a fantastic sub-structure with the Lions Academy, there are some real stars on the radar of the Brisbane Lions Football Club, no doubt.”
