AFL 2017: Richmond eye Brisbane Lions forward Josh Schache, as contract talks wait

Brisbane remain adamant he will stay and have made it clear to Schache's management that money will not be an issue.

But the club's attempts to open discussions on a new deal have hit a road block, with Schache's management wanting to wait until later in the year to continue talks.

Justin Leppitsch, who is now an assistant at Punt Road under Damien Hardwick, was close to Schache in their year together at the Lions, and may prove a pivotal figure in the Tigers' chase of the key forward.

Schache, taken at pick two behind Carlton's Jacob Weitering in the 2015 national draft, had a superb start to his AFL career last year.

Taking the opposition's No.1 defender in most of his 16 games, the 199-centimetre smooth mover showed his class, kicking 16 goals.

With the Lions in the middle of regenerating their list under new coach Chris Fagan, keeping hold of their most talented youngster is at the top of their priority list.

But with free agency inflating the market, gone are the days where first- and second-year players re-sign straight away without testing the waters.

Carlton moved to sign Weitering on a four-year contract extension in September last year, pulling him away from the grip of circling clubs. But Schache, who hails from Seymour in Victoria, poses more of a challenge for the Lions, given the lure of returning home.

If he decides to entertain offers, Richmond remain the leading candidates.

And although the Blues have invested heavily in Harry McKay, Charlie Curnow and Jack Silvagni, their list is crying out for another key forward.

Ideally, the Blues see Curnow as a midfielder, while Silvagni, at 191cm, is more of a medium forward.

McKay, who kicked four goals in a VFL practice match last week, is yet to make his senior debut after an injury-plagued 2016.

With Drew Petrie moving on and Jarrad Waite 34 years old, Schache would seem a good fit at Arden Street, but North Melbourne are busy hunting a big-name midfielder with their war chest of salary cap space.

While the Kangaroos are believed to be one of several clubs closely monitoring Richmond star Dustin Martin, they are also making a bold play for Greater Western Sydney young gun Josh Kelly.

Having missed out on stars Dan Hannebery and Adam Treloar recently, the Kangaroos are desperate to land a big fish.

They also offered Sydney's Isaac Heeney a six-year contract worth about $5 million.

Schache missed Brisbane's winning start to the season with an ankle injury, and the club is hopeful he will return to football this week, but it may be through the NEAFL.