Porter has clocked up around 100,000 kilometres from his Melbourne base since 2008.

“I’ll hang them (boots) up,” Porter said.

“It’s very difficult, I’ll miss footy a lot, but it’s time the family came first.”

The 31-year-old has just has his second child, Lucy.

He and wife Katrina, who’s originally from Wangaratta, also have Grace, who’s almost two.

“I originally travelled up on the Friday nights, because I never liked travelling on the day of the game,” he said.

“I like a good preparation but, since having kids, it’s changed.”

Porter has gone through three cars in his stint, which included a Volvo which “was about 20 years old” according to the hard-working midfielder.

However, Porter isn’t the league’s longest traveller.

Former Wangaratta Rovers stalwart Andrew Wilson made the 500-kilometre round trek from Melbourne for 15 years, clocking up around 150,000 kilometres from 1990.

The obvious question is, why?

“I mainly just come back to see my family and friends, I’ve always had a group of friends at the club and all my family’s in Wangaratta,” Porter said.

“Travelling’s never really been something that’s bothered me, it’s good to get back and see everyone.”

In 2012, Porter did speak with a number of Melbourne-based clubs, but couldn’t bring himself to leave his beloved Pies.

“I’ve been pretty lucky, there’s always been a core group of friends down here,” he said.

“(Mat Grossman) ‘Grossy’ has been doing it for four of five years now, Ben Douthie’s travelled the last couple and Aaron Braden did it as well.

“There’s been a few more come and go, there’s seven of us this year, including Josh Porter and Brad Melville.” 

The group trains together on Wednesday nights, with the rest left up to the individual.

“The body’s not what it was, I’ve been pretty lucky, I’ve only missed a couple of games through injury,” Porter said.

“But I’ve had a degenerative knee for most of my career, I had surgery after 2007 and I got told I had three to five years left in it, so I’ve been lucky.”

Wangaratta is one of four teams on 36 points, battling desperately for the double chance.

The Pies face third-placed Lavington on Saturday.