THE BRISBANE Lions have more to consider than they're willing to admit with the future of young forward Josh Schache. 

Schache has just completed a turbulent second year in the AFL in which he surprised some by agreeing to a two-year deal mid-season. 

Despite his contract extension, rival clubs now think he's gettable.  

Schache's manager David Trotter said this week the power forward would be at the Lions unless the club decided to move him. 

The Lions would have to drive a trade. 

Schache's form was up and down in 2017, he was dropped twice, and then, physically and mentally exhausted, the 20-year-old was excused from the NEAFL preliminary and Grand Finals. 

He was granted an early exit, and rather than stay in Brisbane with the NEAFL team, drove back to his family home in Seymour.

In 10 senior games he kicked nine goals, and back in the NEAFL he kicked two bags of five goals to force his way back into the senior team after originally having little impact following his first axing. 

The extra twist for the Lions is their impending selection of Academy prospect Connor Ballenden in November's NAB AFL Draft.

The Lions have rightfully been very protective of Schache, whom they selected with the second pick in the 2015 draft, saying he's had to endure a lot of scrutiny for someone so young.

But offers will come, and with Ballenden to be snapped up in the draft, the Lions will have a few things to weigh up.

A couple of Victorian clubs are crying out for a key forward, including Richmond, where Schache's first year coach Justin Leppitsch is an assistant, and Collingwood.

Schache has a good relationship with Tigers assistant Justin Leppitsch, who coached him at the Lions in 2016, although this is unlikely to have a major influence on any decision.

Ballenden is a strongly-built 198cm, who, like Schache, plays as a key forward. He can also spend time in the ruck.

In simple terms, he had a poor 2017, sliding from a possible top-10 selection to somewhere late in the first round.

At this stage, the Lions have picks 12 and 18 to go with the No.1 overall selection and will match any rival offer on Ballenden.

If Schache is as keen to stay as his management says, the offer to prise him away would have to be a doozy.

But if there's a hint of wavering from the young left footer, Ballenden seems a perfect fit to step into the breach.

Schache has talent – he has kicked 25 goals in his 27 senior matches – and the best case is the Lions have him, Ballenden and exciting Eric Hipwood as future forward line options.

It isn't the only possible headache for the club as trade period approaches, with restricted free agent Tom Rockliff still to make his intentions clear.

With Adelaide expected to chase Carlton's Bryce Gibbs again, Port Adelaide has loomed as the frontrunner to lure Rockliff away from the Gabba.

Rockliff did everything right in 2017 on and off the field, and although the Lions want to retain their former skipper, they won't overpay.