WESTERN Bulldogs recruit Josh Schache says his new coach Luke Beveridge expects him to be more versatile as the key forward looks to reignite his career at Whitten Oval.

The former Brisbane Lion was traded to the Bulldogs late on the final day of the NAB AFL Trade Period for picks 25 and 40, just two years after being taken with pick No.2 in the 2015 draft. 

The 20-year-old said a return to his home state of Victoria would give him the best chance of becoming the player Beveridge envisages he can be.

10 things we learned from Trade Period

"At AFL level, it's important to play various roles and (Beveridge) did give me a few roles that I could be playing in the team, which excited me," Schache told westernbulldogs.com.au.

"You can't be a one-position player anymore, so being able to go into the ruck and even exploring somewhere else on the ground is something he raised with me.

"I like getting up the ground with my endurance and then get back towards goal, and I like to think I'm mobile for my size."

The Seymour product battled homesickness in a "tough couple of years" in Brisbane, and that contributed to his form and morale dropping. 

He played only 10 senior games and kicked just nine goals in 2017, and as a result, he spent long periods playing in the NEAFL as his future was speculated about on a regular basis.

After receiving word at "1.59pm" that his move to the Dogs had been rubber stamped, a relieved and excited Schache believed the fresh start closer to loved ones would allow him to realise his considerable potential. 

"Being back home amongst my family and friends is something I value really highly and I think that I'll play my best football around them," Schache said. 

"I've definitely learnt a lot about myself, where I can take my football to another level, being mentally stronger and just really understanding myself as a person."

The acquisition of Schache capped off a strong finish to the Trade Period for the Bulldogs, with the club eventually netting a desired first-round pick for Jake Stringer, and the arrival of key defender Jackson Trengove and utility Hayden Crozier.