The deal got done, though, with the Lions receiving picks 25 and 40 in exchange for 2015's No.2 draft pick, who leaves despite having signed a contract extension mid-year.

The Lions had put Schache on the trade table on the eve of the exchange period, aiming to explore ways of reaching a mutually beneficial move for the young forward back to Victoria. The interest in Schache was lukewarm, but the Dogs had some keenness. The deal only eventuated, however, after the Dogs received picks 25 and 40 on Thursday from Essendon and Carlton respectively.

"Sometimes you have to persist and hang in there," Noble said.

"There's other things we know clubs have dealings with.

"We all have elements of what we think's fair and equal value and you have to wait for some other piece to fall before you complete deals."

Bulldogs director of football Chris Grant spoke of his excitement about Schache's recruitment, a feeling he said was mutual.

"[Schache is] really happy. I'm sure he'll thank the Brisbane Lions Football Club for the last two years of support he's had as an AFL player, but he was really keen to get home and we were really keen to facilitate that," Grant said.

Minutes apart from Schache's move, another No. 2 pick was trading states. Fremantle's decision to hold firm on demanding the selection in this year's draft in exchange for the contracted Lachie Weller paid off, with the Dockers getting their wish shortly before the 2pm deadline.

The Dockers received pick two and Brandon Matera from the Suns, giving up Weller and two third-round picks, one in each of the 2017 and 2018 drafts.

Fremantle are stocked with two picks in the top five, which list manager Brad Lloyd said was a terrific result for the club.

"It's an unbelievable opportunity to pick from the top end of the draft, that's where all the quality is and that's where our focus is," Lloyd said.

Suns list manager Scott Clayton denied reports Weller would be paid $4 million over five years at Gold Coast. He acknowledged, however, that the trading price wasn't ideal, but said the Suns were comfortably in paying it.

"We certainly would have preferred to keep pick No.2, but when you spread it over three years we've had four top-10 picks last year, none this year, but we've banked two for next year," Clayton said.

Meanwhile, the Lions eventually landed targets Charlie Cameron and Luke Hodge. Small forward Cameron joined the club from Adelaide with the Lions needing to give up pick 12 to get the contracted goal sneak, while Hawthorn great Hodge's shift to the Gabba was confirmed in a trade for pick 75 and a third-round pick swap.

Noble said the Cameron deal was fair. "It was probably where we expected," he said.

"We had some really amicable discussions with Adelaide and we got it done.

"We're rapt to have Charlie here and he fits a real need for us."

Cameron's manager Andrew McDougall thanked the Crows for helping his client get to the Lions on compassionate grounds.

"We're really happy and just want to thank Justin Reid and the Adelaide Crows for honouring Charlie's wishes," McDougall said.

"As we said all along, he's got a lot of family up there and it's going to be really good for him to get back home and be a part of the club.

"I spoke to Charlie, he was getting a little bit nervous, but at the same time, his heart was always with Brisbane and just thank Adelaide for getting the deal through.

"Obviously you build relationships with clubs over a long period of time, so it worked out well."