General Manager of Football David Noble says Brisbane must be aggressive in their recruitment strategy, despite being an inter-state team.

Speaking to SEN breakfast radio this morning, Noble said during the trade and draft period, “you continue to back in your culture and continue to go after the best talent."

“You draft for talent and trade for needs.”

Noble explained as a recruiter for an AFL Club, outside distractions and potential homesickness should not prevent them from considering the best national talent.

“You can’t let it spook you in that sense from perhaps considering someone who is going to help elevate you up the ladder,” he said.

Noble confirmed Josh Schache would remain at the Lions if an adequate deal could not be reached between Brisbane and a Victorian club.

“If Josh and us can’t find an equal trade then he is a required player absolutely,” he said.

“We’ve had those discussions openly and honestly. The reality is, if he’s not traded we’ll do everything we can to make Josh an elite player, being a pick two in a competition.”

With each day that passes, the Lions seem more and more likely to secure former Hawthorn great Luke Hodge.

At 33 years old, Hodge is still at the top of his game, having finished third in the Hawks’ recent best and fairest count.

But Noble says it’s the example off-field he expects Hodge to set, which the coaching staff are most excited about.

Young, developing players including Alex Witherden, Harris Andrew, Sam Mayes and Cedric Cox come to mind.

“I think off-field it’s about what that success-factor looks like. How hard you have to drive yourself,” he said.

“To be able to let those guys graft off that experience Hodge’s had and having seen where they’ve worked over a long period of time and see what sustainable success look like.”