SCHACHE PLAYS THE ‘ GAME OF HIS LIFE’
WESTERN Bulldogs swingman Josh Schache has been praised for his shutdown role on AllAustralian defender Aliir Aliir in Saturday night’s 71-point preliminary final win over Port Adelaide.
It continued a resurgence of the former No.2 draft pick’s career, with injuries at the Dogs opening up senior opportunities for him in the back end of the year to feature in six games since round 19.
And now, Schache’s played key roles at either end of the ground in the lead into their grand final showdown against Melbourne.
Traded from the Brisbane Lions to the Dogs at the end of 2017, Schache’s struggled to make an impact at AFL level and thus get regular senior opportunities.
But he proved his worth in Saturday night’s negating role on Aliir to restrict him from his normal impact – who was ranked No. 1 in the competition during the home and away season in scores created from intercepts.
“His role was pivotal in the outcome. He was dangerous, he probably should’ve had one or two more goals,” Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge told reporters post-match.
“His ability to complete in the air and reduce Aliir’s and their whole defence’s intercept game was outstanding.
“I’m so rapt for all the boys but there are some lads who, whether they’ve been maligned or haven’t necessarily cemented themselves at the level that are no emerging.
“I’m just so happy that they’ve persevered and they’re having a big impact in what we’re trying to achieve. Schache’s definitely one of those guys.”
Beveridge highlighted the key role Schache played against the Demons De last time the teams met in round 19, filling a key defensive defen post down back after Alex Keath went down with injury. inju
It proved to be the catalyst in turning Schache’s career around.
“Schache had to really stand up and he played so well that night and we won that game,” he said.
“Now he’s back forward in probably his more familiar position and had a little bit of a negative tone to it tonight as far as reducing their intercept impact and he was outstanding.”
Schache has played 63 AFL games since making his debut in 2016 with the Lions.