Western Bulldogs recruit Josh Schache has declared he has learnt to be mentally stronger and is ready to play his best football now he is back home with family and friends.
After a year of conjecture over his future, the former Brisbane Lion was traded to the Dogs on the final day of the AFL trade period on Thursday.
The Lions were handed picks 25 and 40 in exchange for the key forward, who had signed a two-year contract extension midway through the year.
Richmond had been linked with Schache, 20, for much of the year but they did not make a move when the Lions put the 2015 No. 2 pick up for trade.
Schache, who had returned home to Victoria through the season for a break because of homesickness, said he was "speechless" when his manager David Trotter texted him at 2pm on Thursday to inform him of the move.
"I just looked at my parents and said: 'I am a Dog, I am a Western Bulldog.' Being in the red, white and blue is something that I am ... very excited to be a part of and can't wait to get started and, obviously, earn the respect from all my teammates and coaches. Being a part of a very successful club over the last few years is exciting," he said.
In a video released by the Bulldogs, Schache said he had endured a testing couple of years with the Lions.
"Being up in Brisbane, it was a tough couple of years for me. My first year, I thought I played OK football for what I think I can play," he said.
"This year I struggled with everything else that was happening outside of football and, not being back here [in Melbourne]. But I think I have come out of the other side and I have definitely learnt a lot about myself and where I can take my football to another level, obviously being a lot mentally stronger and just really understanding myself as a person."
Schache played 16 matches in his rookie season, booting 16 goals and showing he was capable of taking contested marks and pushing further up the ground.
This year he managed only 10 matches and nine goals, his last game being in round 20 - when he was held goalless by the Bulldogs.
The boy from Seymour, who is a reliable set shot for goal, said the Dogs' style of play would suit him.
"I suppose the way the Bulldogs play, very fast and attacking, obviously, appeals to me. [They have been] a successful footy club over the past few years, the culture around the club is very good and very welcoming," Schache said.
"I can't wait to get started and get stuck into pre-season. Being back home around my family and friends as well, which I value very highly, I think I'll be able to play my best football."
The deal for 199-centimetre Schache only got done after the Dogs received picks 25 and 40 from Essendon and Carlton respectively. The Lions initially rejected pick 25 on its own but were happy to sign off when pick 40 was added.
"I like getting up the ground to use my endurance and get back towards goal. I like to think that I am mobile for my size. I really want to take that to the Bulldogs and be part of a really successful footy club," Schache said.
He said the Dogs had already spoken to him about playing different roles, including helping out in the ruck and in different positions around the ground. He will ensure the Dogs have strong marking options alongside Tom Boyd and Jordan Roughead and will join Fremantle's Hayden Crozier and Port Adelaide's Jackson Trengove as new faces at the Whitten Oval when pre-season training begins next month.
Schache's move means veteran Travis Cloke, who has a year remaining on his contract and opted to play on, may struggle for a senior match.
