Home is where the heart is for Josh Schache and it grows fonder with every visit.
Melbourne Football Club’s gentle giant graced Seymour this week, making a stop-off in the town through the AFL’s Community Camp program.
Schache returned to his roots in the Mitchell Shire on Monday, visiting schools in the area before kicking the pill around with kids at his old stomping ground, Kings Park.
It was a breath of fresh, country air for the 199cm raking key forward, snapping the tension of pre-season graft for a man looking to elevate his game in 2024.
“It was awesome going back home; it was good to see a few familiar faces, but just giving back to the community for what they’ve given me was also pretty special to me,” he said.
“It was cool getting out there, working with the kids and seeing a lot of smiles on their faces.”
It’s that sort of character that makes Schache difficult to dislike.
Following his jaunt back home, the Demon travelled to Euroa where he engaged with kids at St John’s Primary School, answering curious youngsters’ questions in between manning the grill as he and his teammates cooked up a batch of pancakes.
He even sent a few swirling torpedoes into the air on the back oval after one plucky student challenged the players to see who could roost a Sherrin the furthest.
It was a simple act, yet a daring one considering Schache’s AFL career to date.
The 26-year-old was plagued by injury during his time at Western Bulldogs, but has shaken off the woes at Melbourne, currently thriving in a close-knit pre-season environment.
“I love my time here at the footy club so far and I’m just excited to get another year under way,” he said.
“Everyone’s been awesome this pre-season, the group’s looking really exciting and it’s really good to work alongside some of the guys that I get to and the coaches as well.”
Schache has found solace at Melbourne’s training ground, Goschs’ Paddock, of late.
Though he only featured three times in the Demons’ 2023 campaign, Schache needled away at his game for Casey in the VFL last season, adding to his show reel with 29 goals in 15 matches.
This Sunday, he’ll get the chance to impress as Melbourne takes on Richmond in a seven-period match simulation at Casey Fields.
It’s the start of what Schache hopes to be a fruitful year up forward for the Demons.
Building on a solid pre-season, casting his name in front of the selectors; it’s all part of the process for the man from Seymour who desperately wants a slice of success he’s worked so hard for.
“(Pre-season has) been really good, I’ve really enjoyed it and I haven’t missed a beat so far, which has been awesome,” he said.
“I haven’t had any issues and am just really excited for what we can do this year ... I’m keen to get stuck into it this weekend coming.
“Obviously we want to go all the way, that’s what everyone wants to do.
“We’re just really keen to put our best foot forward and keep improving each week and just be consistent.
“Obviously that starts with our pre-season game this weekend and, as a group, I think we’re just really excited for the year to come around. We can’t wait.”