MELBOURNE’s AFL list manager Tim Lamb admits he was nervous to call Marty Hore’s manager and see whether the former Demon would consider a return to AAMI Park.

It had been over four years since Hore had lined up for Melbourne’s AFL side, and two years since the now 28-year-old defender was delisted by the club.

Lamb and National Recruiting Manager Jason Taylor were surprised then, when Hore’s manager told them that not only would the dashing defender welcome the return, he’d go to extreme lengths to make it happen.

“We were a bit worried. I rang his manager and I said, would Marty come back or would he tell us to get stuffed?” Lamb said.

“And he said nah mate, he said he'll crawl over glass to come back.”

Lamb and Taylor had cast their net far and wide in search of defensive depth.

“Jase and I were talking when he said what about Marty?” Lamb said.

“He's the unluckiest person that we'd ever let go. It was part of the Covid (measures). We had to drop list sizes and Marty was coming off a knee, so he was really stiff.

“He’s an outstanding character and a terrific player.”

It’s a sign of that character, that Hore didn’t harbour any hard feelings towards the club following his delisting, and a testament to how Melbourne handled the process that he didn’t.

“It's a funny one, really. I didn't think I'd come back to the Dees but I got that phone call,” Hore said.

“I couldn’t believe it, to be honest. Especially Melbourne because I was here and then obviously got moved on.

“I jumped at the opportunity. I still think I've got lots of good AFL footy in front of me.

“I couldn't be happier to come back. There are plenty of familiar faces and I’m still good mates with a lot of the boys.”

Hore had tasted life as a VFL footballer, cramming full-time work into his schedule alongside the rigours refusing to give up on his AFL dream.

The Bendigo product was earning a living driving an excavator, taking on level-crossing removal projects alongside ex-teammate James Magner and his civil construction business, while lining up for Williamstown in the VFL on weekends.

After 14 games for the Demons in 2019, Hore enjoyed the work but still felt he had unfinished business at the top level.

“It was tough. It's hard working full time and then trying to play footy and fit everything with recovery and family time and that sort of thing,” he said.

“I think I got the balance pretty good. Williamstown was a great footy club for me.

“I had a really enjoyable time there and I think that showed him my footy. I had a lot of fun and I can't really thank the Williamstown footy club enough.”

Hore’s form on the field was remarkable, leading the VFL in marks as a rebounding third tall defender in 2023.

He won the Best and Fairest for the Seagulls, backing up a 2022 campaign at North Melbourne VFL where he finished second in their club count.

Hore had shown his body could stand up to the demands of senior football after exiting the system in the midst of rehabilitating his left knee, following an ACL tear that occurred in an innocuous training tackle in 2021.

“I had some bad luck when I was here for a couple of years and didn't play,” Hore said.

“So it's been important to stay on the park for me. And I did that at North Melbourne VFL and then last season at Williamstown.

“I was able to play into some good form and stay fit – that was a main thing.

“I think Melbourne were just tracking me slowly over the last two years and I guess they liked what they saw.”

Lamb and Taylor had been tracking his progress.

“He'd clearly been the best defender in the VFL for two years since we delisted him,” Lamb said.

“We're really pumped to have Marty back. He’s settled in really well.”

“I even got a text from Gawny saying well done, which doesn't happen very often.”

This time around Hore is hoping to stick and stay at the top level, adding to his handul of senior appearances and helping young Demons learn from his rollercoaster journey.

“I’m just keen to keep on developing my game. I think I've got lots of improvement left in me at 28, so plenty of good footy ahead of me,” he said.

“I'm looking forward to working again with Jake Lever, Steven May, Disco Turner, those sort of boys.

“There's been a bit of a turnover with the young boys, so I think they're all pretty exciting prospects and they're coming through nicely, so sort of keen to work with all them and even pass on some of my knowledge and what I've been through being in and out of the system, I think it'll be good for them.”