WESTERN Bulldogs forward Josh Schache believes his focus over summer on becoming a physical presence on the field played a significant role in his breakout performance against Hawthorn.
The Dogs' nine-goal-to-one comeback in the final term stemmed largely from midfield domination and three goals to the former No.2 draft pick.
At 199cm and 94kg, the 21-year-old acknowledges a focus on physicality and building confidence in his body have been strong contributors to his blistering performance.
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"I think over the off-season and pre-season that was a big goal of mine, to put a bit more weight on," Schache told AFL.com.au.
"I pride my game on making a big contest. I think all my teammates love it when the big bloke goes and crashes the pack and brings the ball to ground. That’s something that I’ll keep growing on."
Schache failed to take a mark in the club's opening-round win over Sydney but claimed five against a Hawthorn backline that controlled several aerial duels the previous week in a strong win over Adelaide.
Now in his fourth season, it was a coming-of-age game and the pivotal moment arrived in a remarkable set of circumstances. From five goals adrift six minutes into the final quarter, a four-minute burst and contentious free kick against Hawthorn defender James Sicily handed Schache the opportunity to give his side an unthinkable lead.
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The key tall coolly slotted the set shot, a career-best fourth goal of the afternoon. Another two Bulldogs majors were added for good measure as they surged to a 19-point win that will live long in the memory of Dogs fans.
"That definitely would be up there with one of the best wins I've been a part of. From three-quarter time to come out with a good intent and kick a winning score [was brilliant]," Schache said.
"It’s pretty infectious. Obviously all the boys are pretty up and about and the coaches are as well, but it’s a long season ahead."
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Scores were level after two quick goals to Toby McLean and Jack Macrae and at the resulting centre bounce, Sicily was deemed to have illegally shoved Schache in a hotly debated decision. On Monday, the AFL declared the free kick to be correct in a continued effort to eradicate altercations off the ball.
"Obviously the AFL has clamped down on it. At the end of the day I was lucky enough to get the free kick and obviously we just play to the whistle," Schache said.
"There would be a bit more clarity around it after this week."
Set to face a Gold Coast side also buoyed by a late win, the Bulldogs have the chance to go 3-0 for the first time since 2009.
"They (Gold Coast) have been really good, we're not expecting anything different. We’ll have to go over what they’ve been like in the last few weeks and do a bit in the meeting room on how to get on top of that," he said.
