MARTY Hore had to take the long route to become an AFL player, but after being drafted to Melbourne with pick 56 in last Friday’s National Draft, his hard work has finally been rewarded.

The 22-year-old has spent the past three seasons playing with Collingwood’s VFL side and impressed with his intercept ability in defence.

With a classy left boot, Hore won back-to-back best and fairest awards for the Pies over the last two years and couldn’t be happier to have landed an opportunity on an AFL list.

“I’m just stoked,” Hore told Melbourne Media.

“To stay in Melbourne, it’s a dream come true.

“I’m over the moon and I can’t wait to meet all of the boys.”

While Hore was never satisfied playing second tier football, he knew if he worked hard enough in the VFL an opportunity would eventually arise.

“I always thought I just need to keep chipping away and keep improving each year and I think I did that,” he said.

“So I was always trying to put my best foot forward and always trying to play the best footy I can to prove people wrong and show them that I can make the next level.”

Unlike many of the young draftees, Hore has experience playing against senior bodies and he believes his time in the VFL will help him transition smoothly at Melbourne.

“It’s been an enjoyable time, I loved playing at Collingwood,” Hore said.

“And it’s definitely helped – it’s pretty physical.

“It’s really fast paced sort of footy so it’s definitely helped me through.”

Although being part of an AFL side is a new experience for all draftees, Hore is prepared for some of the challenges involved with settling in as a professional athlete.

“I’ve been living down [in Melbourne] for the past three years now so it should be a pretty easy transition,” Hore said.

“I’m pretty used to living out of home and being with a tenant, so Melbourne’s a perfect spot there in the city – it’s unreal.”

Hore has also done the preparation on-field to have an immediate impact when the chance presents itself, and dreams of making his AFL debut on the MCG in 2019.

“I think with the body of work I’ve put in, my body is up to it and I think my footy smarts are all up to it too,” he said.

“I just can’t wait to have a crack at it and hopefully play some senior footy next year.”