Melbourne are reportedly considering handing former defender Marty Hore a second chance in the AFL after the ex-Demon's strong year in the VFL.
Hore linked up with Williamstown for the 2023 season and would take out the Seagulls' best and fairest as well as being recognised in the competition's Team of the Year, with the 27-year-old putting his name back on the radar of AFL clubs.
The Leitchville junior averaged 23.1 disposals and 10.0 marks per game from his 19 games with Williamstown after making the move to DSV Stadium from North Melbourne's reserves.
Hore had been trialled as a potential Supplemental Selection Period recruit for the Roos' AFL side before the 2022 season but would miss out on the last remaining list spot at Arden Street, which was awarded to former St Kilda and Adelaide forward Tom Lynch.
Another chance to earn an AFL reprieve could be on offer for the 2024 season for Hore, with his former club Melbourne said to be weighing up a potential reunion with the medium-sized defender.
According toย CODE Sports'ย Paul Amy, the Demons are considering Hore this off-season after his stellar season with the Seagulls.
Hore played 14 games for Melbourne - all in the 2019 season - during a three-year stint in the AFL that was cruelly hampered by an ACL injury that followed quad and collarbone setbacks.
Marty Hore back to the Dees after his fine season for Willy? We'll see. https://t.co/0RasyNXalw
— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) November 10, 2023
The Demons could consider Hore as an SSP train-on player, a delisted free agent or at the National Draft, while one of Melbourne's Rookie Draft selections have been left aside for delisted veteran Jake Melksham.
If another chance in the red and blue was to arise for the backman, Hore would join ex-Demons teammate and fellow Williamstown star Oscar McDonald in finding a place back in the AFL.
McDonald has signed with Fremantle for the next two seasons following his own promising VFL campaign, where he too earned a place in the Team of the Year.
The Dockers signed McDonald as a delisted free agent prior to this week's deadline, with the signing window to again open at the conclusion of the National Draft.
Three of the delisted free agency recruits of 2023 so far weren't listed in the AFL this year, with ex-Sydney pair Sam Naismith (Richmond) and Toby Pink (North Melbourne) earning second chances after time spent out of the top flight.
Carlton signed recently delisted Port Adelaide forward Orazio Fantasia, while state league and local clubs have begun to swoop on other culled AFL names.
