bulldogtragic
12-09-2021, 07:57 PM
Ben Cotton from Fox Sports
September 12th, 2021 12:50 pm
Western Bulldogs swingman Josh Schache has been praised for his shutdown role on All-Australian defender Aliir Aliir in Saturday night’s 71-point preliminary final win over Port Adelaide.
It continued a resurgence of the former Pick 2’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 last time the teams met in Round 19, filling a key defensive post down back after Alex Keath went down with injury.
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.”
Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton also lauded Schache post-match on Fox Footy, saying it was “the most memorable game of sport he’s played in his life”.
Bulldogs great Brad Johnson acknowledged how the 24-year old has found his feet at senior level.
“He’s played his way into a grand final team,” Johnson said.
“When everyone thought his career was going to peter out the back end, because he couldn’t get into the senior team. When he did, he just couldn’t find his way in terms of performance.
“Now he’s provided five weeks of very good football as a defender, now as a forward the last three weeks as well. He did a great job tonight on Aliir Aliir the way he was so diligent in his performance.
“He never went away what was being asked of him in his positioning and he stood up. One of the best players on the ground tonight without a question.”
Schache has played 63 AFL games since making his debut in 2016
September 12th, 2021 12:50 pm
Western Bulldogs swingman Josh Schache has been praised for his shutdown role on All-Australian defender Aliir Aliir in Saturday night’s 71-point preliminary final win over Port Adelaide.
It continued a resurgence of the former Pick 2’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 last time the teams met in Round 19, filling a key defensive post down back after Alex Keath went down with injury.
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.”
Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton also lauded Schache post-match on Fox Footy, saying it was “the most memorable game of sport he’s played in his life”.
Bulldogs great Brad Johnson acknowledged how the 24-year old has found his feet at senior level.
“He’s played his way into a grand final team,” Johnson said.
“When everyone thought his career was going to peter out the back end, because he couldn’t get into the senior team. When he did, he just couldn’t find his way in terms of performance.
“Now he’s provided five weeks of very good football as a defender, now as a forward the last three weeks as well. He did a great job tonight on Aliir Aliir the way he was so diligent in his performance.
“He never went away what was being asked of him in his positioning and he stood up. One of the best players on the ground tonight without a question.”
Schache has played 63 AFL games since making his debut in 2016