HAVING a career outside football is a growing priority for AFL clubs and players, but in Jeremy Howe's case, his day job almost cost him the chance at a football career.

Growing up in southern Tasmania, Howe had all the traits that would appeal to AFL scouts but an electrical apprenticeship meant football wasn't his number one priority, and he couldn't make the most of his attempts to play at representative level.

"I played my junior footy at my local club in Dodges Ferry and they were overlooked with under age state teams. I tried out for the under-18s and I got dropped because I couldn't make training. Training would start at 4pm and I was working full-time," Howe told melbournefc.com.au.

So Howe had to watch on as players his age were drafted and made their debuts at AFL level.

He joined VFL team Tasmania Devils before they disbanded and then moved on to play with Hobart in the Tasmanian State League.

A regular feature in Hobart's highlight reel, Howe was drafted by the Demons with pick 33 at last year's NAB AFL draft at the relatively senior age of 20.

Howe moved in with a fellow former Tasmanian and found himself settled into mainland life quicker than even he thought.

"When I first came over I moved in with Col Garland and that was really good. He got me in and around the boys straight away," he said.

"We talked about our pathways to the AFL and he made me feel really comfortable. To be honest I didn't miss home at all after I got there. I fitted in straight away and they made it really easy for me."

Howe had no visions of playing senior football in his first year on Melbourne's list. But an impressive first half of the season with VFL team Casey Scorpions moved him up the pecking order.

The Demons could no longer ignore his strong marking up forward and he was promoted to make his debut in the round 11 win over Essendon.

He says he had a feeling his debut was nearing.

"I got a best on ground and there was a bit of talk I might play the following week. I didn't manage to get picked but I was an emergency for a few weeks and was on the verge. But after a few weeks I thought 'Will I or won't I' and then lucky enough I got one," he said.

Howe has quickly integrated himself as a pivotal part of Melbourne's forward line along with another Tasmanian product, captain Brad Green.

He says he is combining well with Green and Liam Jurrah in attack.

"We don't have that big dominant forward but I think we've got a lot of blokes who play similar roles. That works to a pretty good advantage for us because we play all in different spots and mix it up which makes us unpredictable," he said.

"We work together really well so I think that's a big tick for us. [But] we miss a big forward as well.

"The more we start playing together the better I understand. You read the play off each other and you know what you are going to do. It makes it easier getting to position a lot earlier.

"I find the more games I play and the more I learn about the other forwards, my game improves."

He might be a regular AFL footballer now, but he hasn't given up on life as an electrician, knowing that football will not last forever.

"I've got a couple of options I can follow up with one day a week work. I wanted to focus on footy in my first year and then probably next year I might get into working one day a week because it is something I don't want to leave," he said.

"I want to familiarise myself with things and I want to be looking more towards next year than this year."
 
Luke Holmesby covers Melbourne news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_LHolmesby.