Brisbane key forward Josh Schache is off contract at the end of the 2017 season, and Lions coach Chris Fagan admits he won't bother the 19-year-old with questions about his future.
The number two selection in the 2015 AFL National Draft kicked 18 goals in his debut season last year and showed some very promising signs across his 17 games, and Fagan is more interested in growing the youngster than annoying him with contract talk.
"I don't ask him [about his contract]," Fagan said.
"I and the other coaches just try to create the best environment we can for him so that he can improve and grow as a player. That is our part of the deal and that is what we will stick to."
Fagan believes a lot of pressure was heaped on Schache during his first season at the Lions, but said fans shouldn't expect gold from the young manย just yet, as he still needs to develop in his key position role.
"We have just got to keep Josh realistic and striving and not feel like he is under pressure to be too good too soon," Fagan said.
"We have got to let the rest of the world know he is just a young and developing player and that he will gradually improve, but don't expect the world from him."
With Fagan having worked at Hawthorn while both Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead were in the early stages of their careers, the new Brisbane coach has shown Schache their stats, and the Lions youngster compares well against them.
Franklin kicked 21 goals in 20 games in his first season at Hawthorn, while Roughead booted just six in 16.
