Fearless: Promising young midfielder Jack Martin was recruited by the Gold Coast Suns in the AFL mini-draft. Picture: Brendan Radke Source: Gold Coast Bulletin
TEENAGE whiz Jack Martin has forced his way into the Gold Coast Suns side for tomorrow week's NAB Cup opener and is likely to spend the entire tournament there.
Martin is slight of frame but large of heart, and coach Guy McKenna has no hesitation throwing him into senior company in the opening round-robin clash with Brisbane and Hawthorn at Metricon Stadium.
Skipper Gary Ablett was set to be held back until the second week by McKenna but now appears likely to make an appearance at Metricon in the clash with the Lions.
The Suns recruited Martin in last year's AFL mini-draft by trading draft pick No.2 to the GWS Giants.
He was drafted as a 17-year-old and only turned 18 two weeks ago, so he is not eligible to play in the premiership this year.
He was given a special allowance by the AFL to play in the pre-season tournament under the same rule the Suns used to give Jaeger O'Meara a taste of senior action in last year's NAB Cup.
Although Martin is not as physically developed as O'Meara at the same age, he has already made a name for himself for his fearless attack at the contest and said he had no concerns heading into his debut game as a Sun.
"I'm pretty excited to get out there and have a run, to see what it is like," Martin said.
"I have played against some bigger bodies in WA and I like to get in and have a crack. The bodies in the AFL are a step up but I can't wait to get in and have a crack."
McKenna said Martin had left little choice but to pick him after stellar form on the track and a star turn in yesterday's intra-club scratch match.
"His last three weeks have been really good and we are going to pick our fittest side," McKenna said.
"I'd say Jack Martin is a strong chance to play."
McKenna said Martin only knew one way to attack a contest and that fearlessness, coupled with his size, meant he would not be capable of playing in the premiership every week.
"We have to look after him, but if he continues on how he's going, he will play four rounds of footy in the NAB Cup," he said. "Jaeger is built differently, but they both have that hard competitive head about them."
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