JOSH Schache is happy at the Brisbane Lions but the out-of-contract spearhead wants to focus on making a strong start to the 2017 home and away season before opening contract negotiations.

Schache was taken by the Lions with pick No.2 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft and, after kicking 16 goals from 17 matches in his debut season, shapes as perhaps the Lions' most important re-signing this year.

Schache's manager, Dave Trotter of McDonald Sports and Talent Management, told AFL.com.au his client was content living in Brisbane and playing with the Lions.

But Trotter said Schache, who is from Seymour in regional Victoria, wanted to hold off any contract talks with the Lions until after the start of home and away season.

The 199cm forward's first year at the Gabba was a tough one on the field, with Lions coach Justin Leppitsch sacked at the end of a 2016 season that yielded just three wins.

However, the Lions will enter 2017 with a beefed-up football department after appointing long-time Hawthorn football manager Chris Fagan as coach and highly respected Adelaide administrator David Noble as football manager.

The club has also assembled a raft of talented youngsters at recent drafts that includes Schache, Eric Hipwood, Ben Keays, Rhys Mathieson, Hugh McCluggage and Jarrod Berry.

Schache, 19, is the son of late former Brisbane Bear Laurie Schache (29 games and 64 goals from 1991-92).

He established himself as the best key forward in the 2015 draft pool with his play for the Murray Bushrangers in that year's TAC Cup and with Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.