33. Stefan Martin [198cm 97 kg 17.11.86 - 8 games 0 goals] - the former junior basketball star was impressive on debut in his eight games as a tall defender with the Demons. He is on a steep learning curve but has the height and athleticism to go a long way in the game as it is currently played.

For a bloke that really is all but still wet behind the ear footy wise he has shown remarkable compusure and application to the task. Just how far this "curve' will take him is yet to be determined. But I think we can be safe in thinking it wont be for the lack of trying. He has shown something when either no one really expected it..or thought we should. Has proved a bit of a surprise packet.. Another preseason and more games..he could end up one of the real surprise packages. Am keen to see his further progress in 09

I have huge faith in this guy. What do you get when you put an IQ of 180 in the body of Hercules? Stefan Martin who, in all his glory, will have all of us (even the women) jizzing our pants very shortly.

Seriously, I've actually never been more excited about a Melbourne player as I am about big Stef. He's officially my guy. Everyone else just stay the heck away. He's mine.

Will be a gun.

Melbourne did well out of the Sandy alliance; Valenti, Martin and Warnock.

Exceeded expectations... Good spoiler 1 on 1, seems cool under pressure, took the best option on most occasions in defence. Height and spring impressive assets. Now believes he belongs... so expect further rapid development in 2009. Running ability a pleasant surprise, gives him cred for further opportunities up the ground.

No one expected Martin to stand up the way he did this season. Has all the key attributes to be a very good player. (Jury is out regarding Martin being a 'gun'). Has the height the pace and the "nous" to match it with the best forwards. Bit more strength and conditioning as well as a few more games under his belt will be significantly important for the Melbfc.

Instead of playing him at all next year, I think we should donate him to science to figure out how a freak of nature like this is even possible, and how we make more like him. To match his height, he's got incredible athleticism and ridiculous intelligence. Add that to his blondish good looks and he may very well be the perfect Human male.

In all seriousness, he's got to be one of the most exciting things to come out of this year. His combination of brains, size and athleticism should serve him very well in the coming years once his skills develop and he understands the game better. I can't wait.

Love the guy. I have pinned high hopes on Martin, enhanced by his effort in the GF sprint. He can run, jump, sidestep, mark and actually has some decent skills too. And he's still learning, so hopefully it's only upwards from here.

With Martin and Garland performing well, we hopefully have the basis of a good backline for a few years - add an improving Warnock, an injury - free Rivs, and Wheatly seemingly in a purple patch, and things look good.

I think Frawley will, at best, be only a back-up during injury periods.

33. Stefan Martin [198cm 97 kg 17.11.86 - 8 games 0 goals] - the former junior basketball star was impressive on debut in his eight games as a tall defender with the Demons. He is on a steep learning curve but has the height and athleticism to go a long way in the game as it is currently played.

I have it on good authority, that he didn't accompany the team on the end of season trip, and has been seen in the Gym almost Daily throughout the last month. This is the sort of commitment that I want to see from a team that finished last with 3 wins.

If Stef doesn't turn into a star, it's obvioiusly not going to be through lack of application

Can't wait for next year. He should pick himself as CHB in my opinion.

Instead of playing him at all next year, I think we should donate him to science to figure out how a freak of nature like this is even possible, and how we make more like him. To match his height, he's got incredible athleticism and ridiculous intelligence. Add that to his blondish good looks and he may very well be the perfect Human male.

Maybe we should get him to 100 games and retire him. After that, we just take him to Norway or the Amazon and then start pimping him out to every tall woman with even a little bit of running ability.

remarkable.... we all agree

landmark occasion !!

Will be a gun.

Melbourne did well out of the Sandy alliance; Valenti, Martin and Warnock.

Hey, hey, hey, let's not forget about Hughes!!!

Instead of playing him at all next year, I think we should donate him to science to figure out how a freak of nature like this is even possible, and how we make more like him. To match his height, he's got incredible athleticism and ridiculous intelligence. Add that to his blondish good looks and he may very well be the perfect Human male.

In all seriousness, he's got to be one of the most exciting things to come out of this year. His combination of brains, size and athleticism should serve him very well in the coming years once his skills develop and he understands the game better. I can't wait.

If I didn't love him so much, I'd definitely hate him.

Gotta despise people who just have it all... how dare he!

Does this bloke really have such an IQ? (and apparently an extraordinary enter score)

What's he doing at university?

And bye the bye, after seeing him play for Sandy a couple of times last season I thought he had some real football talent.

He looked like an intelligent footballer.

I hope he has a big future with the MFC (and I'm glad we go him before Essadon)