Judd McVee didn't think about a return to Western Australia "this early in (his) career", but when Fremantle came knocking, it was an opportunity he couldn't refuse.
The speedy Demon had established himself in Simon Goodwin's side as a lockdown defender but was under-utilised in the majority of his 65 matches in the red and blue.
The Dockers offered an attacking rebounding role that was "appealing" to the Geraldton product, while the lure of being closer to friends and family was a "big factor" in the decision to head West.
"The main reason for me was the role I was playing at Melbourne," McVee told Zero Hanger.
"Then Freo were pretty interested. What was presented to me was pretty appealing, with the young list and where they want to play me.
"Obviously, coming back home was a big factor. To be honest, I didn't think it was going to be this early in my career, but what got presented was something I couldn't turn down."
McVee was drafted by Melbourne with Pick 18 in the Rookie Draft following the club's drought-breaking premiership in 2021. He played his entire maiden season in the VFL in 2022, including the premiership for the Casey Demons.
However, by his own admission, McVee struggled to assimilate into life in the AFL, and leaned heavily on Steven May, Christian Salem and Jake Lever for guidance and support.
A string of one-year contracts kept him on edge, which helped his focus on improving every day.
"At the start, I was naive, just going in as an 18-year-old, and didn't really know too much about AFL and what it brings," he said.
"I was pretty lucky to get another (contract), because I wasn't trying too much and not going at an AFL standard.
"I was just playing VFL, not getting much (of the footy) and not really knowing what I was doing.
"I had the two one-year contracts, which was pretty hard going.
"But it puts it into perspective of doing the hard yards nice and early, and kind of sets you up. I wouldn't want it any other way."
