Hore, 22 from Leitchville, Schultz, 20 from Moama, and Strahcan, 23 from Bendigo, realised their football dream on Friday when they were drafted by AFL clubs Melbourne, Fremantle and Adelaide respectively.

Hore was taken by the Demons with selection 56, the Dockers took Schultz with the very next pick, while Strachan was the Crows first selection in the rookie draft.

Hore and Schultz came through the traditional TAC Cup pathway with the Bendigo Pioneers, but missed selection in the 2015 draft.

They didn't give up hope of playing at the highest level and entered the VFL system with Collingwood and Williamstown respectively.

Hore won the Collingwood VFL best and fairest the past two seasons and was named in the VFL team of the Year in 2017 and 2018.

"It’s a dream come true, I’m over the moon and I can’t wait to meet all of the boys,” Hore told melbournefc.com.au.

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

Schultz made a big impact with the Seagulls as a goalkicking midfielder.

Strachan is the classic late bloomer.

The athletic ruckman didn't play TAC Cup footy, but his rapid improvement at senior level in Bendigo football between the ages of 18-21 saw him capture the eye of VFL clubs.

He played two games for Essendon VFL in 2017 before an ankle injury hampered his season.

After playing two more VFL games for Essendon this year, Strachan transferred to VFL rival Port melbourne where he played two more senior games.

Despite only having six VFL games under his belt, the Crows swooped on Strachan to bolster their ruck stocks.

"It's great news for all three players,'' Sharp said on Friday night.

"It just shows that you should never give up.

"We have 13 players from this year's Pioneers squad that are doing pre-season training with VFL clubs.

"Not everyone is going to be ready to be drafted at the age of 18. Sometimes it takes an extra few years of development for players to be ready.

"There's some wonderful opportunities at VFL level and Marty, Lachlan and Kieran proved that today.

"For Kieran to come through local footy like he has is a credit to him."

Sharp said Melbourne was keen on Hore in 2015, with coach Simon Goodwin and recruiting staff visiting the defender at his family's Leitchville property. 

"For whatever reason they didn't pick Marty that year, but they must have kept a close eye on him since,'' Sharp said.

Hore, Schultz and Strachan's selection came on top of Jye Caldwell being picked by the GWS Giants with selection 11 in the first round of the draft on Thursday night.

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