Delisted by reigning premiers Melbourne in early October after 14 games, the raking left footer out of Leitchville is currently training with North Melbourne in the hopes of securing a spot on their list.
Following an injury-cruelled two years of football, most recently an ACL sustained in January that ruled him out of the 2021 season, Hore said he was eyeing a return to the VFL before the Roos came to him with a different proposal.
“I had been talking to North a little bit before the draft but more about the VFL side of things, nothing really to do with the AFL,” Hore said.
“It happened pretty quickly over a couple of days post the draft, and then I was in training on the Monday.
“At the moment I’m hoping to get on the list, but I need to stay fit and healthy and keep putting my best foot forward.
“If nothing else does happen on the AFL side, I’ve committed to their VFL program.”
North Melbourne is set make a call on Hore’s potential inclusion to the AFL list next year.
In the meantime, he’s ticking off the final stages of his rehabilitation from his ACL tear and charging through his third AFL pre-season.
“I’m not really sure when they’re going to make the call on that (AFL listing),” said Hore
“I’m just happy to keep training at the moment and show them that I’ve still got what it takes to play AFL footy, and that I still have the attributes.
“I’m only getting better the more I train and I’m just happy to be out there, given I haven’t played much in two years.
“I really want to keep my body right, not get injured, and stay on the park. They’ve got new high-performance staff, and it’s been good working with them.
“I’ve just been ticking off the last bits of rehab, so I’ve been working a bit with Flynn Perez who’s coming back from a knee reconstruction as well.”
Hore said the “belief is still there” after an interrupted run and is confident his best football is still ahead of him.
Recalling his final days at the Dees, Hore admitted it was disappointing to be cut, but is looking forward to the next chapter of his career, ideally in the blue-and-white stripes.
“I had a bit of communication with (Melbourne), and they couldn’t really guarantee a contract for me, so I had to wait a bit until after the trade period, then they had to work out their list size,” said Hore.
“Then I was the last one who got cut.
“It was disappointing, just because I’d been injured the last couple of years.
“I understand where they’re coming from, but I still think I have what it takes to play some really good AFL football.
“I’ve moved on now, and I’m looking forward to this next chapter, this next opportunity.
“The belief is still there; I just need to get my body right and have a really good run at it and the rest will take care of itself.”
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