Bendigo Pioneers defender Marty Hore will make his VFL debut with Essendon in this Friday’s night clash with Western Bulldogs at Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Hore’s play in the AFL Victoria TAC Cup under-18s competition caught the attention of Essendon’s scouts.
The 19-year-old from Leitchville-Gunbower Football Club is one of three Pioneers who could play in the 19th round of the VFL season.
Sandhurst clubmates Tommy Cole and Lachlan Tardrew are in contention to play for Geelong and Collingwood respectively.
Cole was among Geelong’s best when he was 23rd player in the May 9 match against Collingwood in Bendigo.
Hore is rapt about the chance to play for the Bombers in what will be a high-stakes contest between 4th and 5th on Bendigo’s iconic oval.
“It’s a great opportunity to play at a higher level and a challenge I am really looking forward to,” Hore said on Monday.
Selection by the Bombers is great reward for Hore’s commitment to training and his consistency in every Pioneers match where he has played off a half-back flank or wing.
His build-up to a second under-18s season with Bendigo included a lot of work to increase endurance.
“I learnt a lot in my first year with the Pioneers and worked on being as fit as I could be.”
Hore will train with his Essendon team-mates on Wednesday at Tullamarine.
Away from the footy field, Hore is a second-year apprentice cabinet maker at Douthat’s Joinery in Cohuna.
Pioneers coach Brett Henderson said Hore’s selection by Essendon capped months of hard work.
“Marty’s been brilliant all season,” Henderson said.
“We are in contact with VFL clubs on a regular basis. Essendon looked at some vision of Marty’s play and liked what they saw.”
Henderson said kicking and evasive skills were major strengths of Hore’s play.
“He moves well in heavy traffic.
“Marty’s a fierce competitor. He’s intensity at the contest is the same in the last minute as what it is in the first minute of a game.”
The Pioneers depth will be tested in Saturday’s home game against Northern Knights at Epsom-Huntly Reserve.
“It’s all about development,” Henderson said of call-ups to the VFL.
“Like all clubs, we want to win, but we also have to look at the big picture and look at a great opportunity that Marty has earnt.”
Friday’s match between Essendon, 10-6, and Western Bulldogs, 11-5, starts at 7.30pm.
Last Modified on 18/08/2015 15:30
