FORMER Brisbane Lions champion forward Jonathan Brown has urged fans to be patient and lower their expectations of top draftee Josh Schache.
The No.2 pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft, has been impressive in his first AFL pre-season and starred in the Lions' trial match last week, kicking four goals.
Despite not yet playing a game, the Lions are reportedly set to offer the key forward a new five-year deal.
But with so much early attention on the 18-year-old, Brown has warned Lions fans to cool their expectations.
"The thing about key position players is they take a long time to develop," he said at the Brisbane Lions Hall of Fame launch on Thursday.
"We certainly hope that the people out there, the supporters and public don't expect too much of a young kid like Schache. We've heard some impressive things already, and Rocky's calling for a 15-year contract which is music to my ears … but he will take time.
"Jesse Hogan bounced on to the scene last year and I haven't seen anything like that in 20 or 30 years so that's not the norm for young key position players."
It's not just the external pressure on the key forward that Brown is concerned about.
The triple premiership Lion is adamant the key forward must be careful about the expectations and pressure he placed on himself.
"I think at the end of the day, he knows how to play forward naturally," Brown said.
"I think it's just being really patient and not putting too much expectation on yourself. Listen, learn and come with an attitude that 'I'm going to work really hard and be the best footballer I can be'.
"I've heard he's got a great attitude and wants to be in Brisbane which is refreshing. I look forward to sitting back and watching."
Brown joined triple premiership teammate Chris Johnson and Lions skipper Tom Rockliff in Melbourne on Thursday for the launch of the Brisbane Lions Hall of Fame dinner, which will take place on June 25.
The club will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fitzroy's 1916 flag with the players to wear a commemorative guernsey in round 14 against Richmond, to mark the occasion.
