Number 34

[Armitage Shanks 0]

Despite a poor performance yesterday i'd like to draw some attention to a gleaming positive for the season thus far (other than Tapscott).

Stef Martin has improved out of sight and is becoming quite a handy asset (a la Leigh Brown at Collingwood).

In his first two games for 2011 he has got to many more contests than in seasons past and is now proving quite a viable back up in the ruck supporting the Russian.

ROUND 1 - 17 disposals, 6 hit outs, 1 tackle and some important contested marks

ROUND 2 - 14 disposals, 7 hit outs, 3 tackles

He obviously couldn't ruck a whole game on his own but i think with his speed and improved fitness is only going to get better from here. He showed he is quite quick yesterday when given the ball and should be tried deep up forward occasionally if possible.

Obviously, yesterday was a dirty day for us all but, in my opinion he (along with Tapscott) have been revelations thus far. Perhaps Stef isn't given much kudos by the football world just yet but to a keen Melbourne supporter he is starting to show some good signs.

[Arrow 1,257]

The awkwardness when you start a thread about Stefan Martin (number 34) with the title Number 24 (Liam Jurrah).

Good point, bad title.

[Armitage Shanks 0]

Haha i just noticed that.

I'll try and fix.

[cat attack 26]

beat me to it

[Armitage Shanks 0]

Should be fixed now... My apologies gents.

Could have been accused of trolling there.

[caddypgt 30]

Despite a poor performance yesterday i'd like to draw some attention to a gleaming positive for the season thus far (other than Tapscott).

Stef Martin has improved out of sight and is becoming quite a handy asset (a la Leigh Brown at Collingwood).

In his first two games for 2011 he has got to many more contests than in seasons past and is now proving quite a viable back up in the ruck supporting the Russian.

ROUND 1 - 17 disposals, 6 hit outs, 1 tackle and some important contested marks

ROUND 2 - 14 disposals, 7 hit outs, 3 tackles

He obviously couldn't ruck a whole game on his own but i think with his speed and improved fitness is only going to get better from here. He showed he is quite quick yesterday when given the ball and should be tried deep up forward occasionally if possible.

Obviously, yesterday was a dirty day for us all but, in my opinion he (along with Tapscott) have been revelations thus far. Perhaps Stef isn't given much kudos by the football world just yet but to a keen Melbourne supporter he is starting to show some good signs.

Agree with the sentiment of most that is said here. One criticism (of him, not your post); something he needs to address is decision making, two situations in particular:

1) Defensive punch or attempt to mark - not every contested marking situation calls for him to go for the mark. He must learn to decide when it is appropriate to spoil. We lost a few contests as a result of him going for impossible marks in one-on-two situations where he fell to ground after grassing an unrealistic attempt and the Hawks crumbing (mind you - he was not the only offender in this category), and

2) He looked lost in transition, particularly when stuck between HF and HB. Get behind the ball and help out as an extra defensive marking or spoiling option, or be a target up the field. Needs to pick the right role for that play and be decisive about getting to the right position to fulfill it (this is probably harder and will take more time than point 1).

[Adzman 2,154]

Martin will be a permanent fixture. His development will certainly put Spencer/Fitzpatrick/Gawn on hold.

The ruck/utility position has now been taken demon fans- Steph Martin is his name, and he is here to stay.

[grant 10]

Another big positive is no second year blues for Trenners thus far

[hells bells 2,023]

Martin, Tapscott have been impressive so far.

I thought Bail was excellent yesterday too. Especially in the first half. Also played well in Round 1.

Haven´t been a huge wrap for him but am happy to stand corrected on that one.

Keep it up Rohan

[Felix 92]

Luke Tapscott mentioned in "beamers bumps and bruises" that Martin is the strongest player in the squad... and i dont think he was kidding either (just goes to show he had a great pre season)

[Triple Jack 13]

Has been a huge improver this year. But his kicking is still nowhere near that of a Utility Ruckmen, but seeing the amount he has improved im sure it will get there. Well done Stef on the massive improvements you have made

[Guest DeesPower]

Martin will be a permanent fixture. His development will certainly put Spencer/Fitzpatrick/Gawn on hold.

The ruck/utility position has now been taken demon fans- Steph Martin is his name, and he is here to stay.

I think Stef Martin could eventually become a dominant key position player either forward or back. IMO I think Max. Gawn will develop into such a dominant ruckman that a place will be found elsewhere for Stef Martin.

[Pipefitter 2,213]

Most improved so far.

[The Chazz 4,077]

God help him if he puts in a substandard performance - this site will go in to meltdown (not in the "untouchables" category yet poor Stef).

I can proudly put my chest out and say that I have been driving the Stef Martin bandwagon for years. My my campaign for Stef is to see him play Full Forward. People are whinging about his (in)ability to kick straight, meaning he shouldn't be a forward, but if that's his negatives, I'd rather him not kicking straight up forward rather than down back! By the way, I think this is an absolute imbecilic attitude that some people have, but each to their own.

I think the new sub rule has given Stef an opportunity to play Round 1, and he hasn't let us down. As a result, he is now being picked on form rather than becuase of a rule change, good on you Stef. If the AFL decide that common sense wil lprevail and they scrap that sub rule next year, I'd like to think that Stef has landed a Full Forward position, and that we can use the new/old 4th bench spot on Gawn/Spencer/etc.

While everyone is entitled to their opinion, I get very frustrated when people say that Stef should be a defender. In the correct order, our best tall defenders are Frawley, Garland and Rivers. We have a couple of kids coming through that will put pressure on Rivers in a couple of years. Where does Stef fit in to the backline? Is he better than Rivers? I'd argue that with anyone (which could be dangerous becuase half this site don't rate Rivers).

With Lucas Cook a couple of years away, Fitzpatrick more of an unknown, in my opinion Stef HAS to play deep Full Forward. A forward line of Martin, Jurrah and Watts as our keys, and Petterd and hopefully Wona (providing he can get in form and stay there!), it's a bloody hard forward line to match up on - especially when Dunn has shown in recent times that he can find enough of the footy to have an impact on the scoreboard.

[Webber 10,586]

God help him if he puts in a substandard performance - this site will go in to meltdown (not in the "untouchables" category yet poor Stef).

I can proudly put my chest out and say that I have been driving the Stef Martin bandwagon for years. My my campaign for Stef is to see him play Full Forward. People are whinging about his (in)ability to kick straight, meaning he shouldn't be a forward, but if that's his negatives, I'd rather him not kicking straight up forward rather than down back! By the way, I think this is an absolute imbecilic attitude that some people have, but each to their own.

I think the new sub rule has given Stef an opportunity to play Round 1, and he hasn't let us down. As a result, he is now being picked on form rather than becuase of a rule change, good on you Stef. If the AFL decide that common sense wil lprevail and they scrap that sub rule next year, I'd like to think that Stef has landed a Full Forward position, and that we can use the new/old 4th bench spot on Gawn/Spencer/etc.

While everyone is entitled to their opinion, I get very frustrated when people say that Stef should be a defender. In the correct order, our best tall defenders are Frawley, Garland and Rivers. We have a couple of kids coming through that will put pressure on Rivers in a couple of years. Where does Stef fit in to the backline? Is he better than Rivers? I'd argue that with anyone (which could be dangerous becuase half this site don't rate Rivers).

With Lucas Cook a couple of years away, Fitzpatrick more of an unknown, in my opinion Stef HAS to play deep Full Forward. A forward line of Martin, Jurrah and Watts as our keys, and Petterd and hopefully Wona (providing he can get in form and stay there!), it's a bloody hard forward line to match up on - especially when Dunn has shown in recent times that he can find enough of the footy to have an impact on the scoreboard.

All good stuff, I have also been a Stef bandwagonner, and held the idea he should go forward as a deep strong marking option. It seemed obvious.....but then they did try it in spells last year, and at Casey, but for some reason Stef found it difficult to judge, let alone hold, the attacking mark. It's odd, because you see him this year, and his aggressive marking ability is excellent. My suspicion is that it is a confidence thing. It is a very different level of expectation having to take the defensive or uncontested linking mark, to the goal scoring mark. Having said that, I'd love it if they kept trying it in bursts, because if he takes his current form into the forward line, it would solve a significant problem we have.

[The Chazz 4,077]

All good stuff, I have also been a Stef bandwagonner, and held the idea he should go forward as a deep strong marking option. It seemed obvious.....but then they did try it in spells last year, and at Casey, but for some reason Stef found it difficult to judge, let alone hold, the attacking mark. It's odd, because you see him this year, and his aggressive marking ability is excellent. My suspicion is that it is a confidence thing. It is a very different level of expectation having to take the defensive or uncontested linking mark, to the goal scoring mark. Having said that, I'd love it if they kept trying it in bursts, because if he takes his current form into the forward line, it would solve a significant problem we have.

Sadly, if he were to play Full Forward, the expectations of some supporters would be unrealistic. If I were Bailey (thank god I'm not!), I'd have a target of kicking 20 goals for the season, and I would also set a target for the small forward to kick 20 goals from direct roving off Stef's marking contests, but make both aware of each others targets. At least that way Stef will know if he is not in a position to mark (outnumbered, coming from 3 back, or whatever), he has to create a contest and get the ball on the ground for his rover.

Can you imagine Aussie crumbing off contests that are 20m out from goal? Milne does it perfectly. In all honesty, it's probably the easiest job on the field, especially if you have the ability that Aussie does.

[Webber 10,586]

Sadly, if he were to play Full Forward, the expectations of some supporters would be unrealistic. If I were Bailey (thank god I'm not!), I'd have a target of kicking 20 goals for the season, and I would also set a target for the small forward to kick 20 goals from direct roving off Stef's marking contests, but make both aware of each others targets. At least that way Stef will know if he is not in a position to mark (outnumbered, coming from 3 back, or whatever), he has to create a contest and get the ball on the ground for his rover.

Can you imagine Aussie crumbing off contests that are 20m out from goal? Milne does it perfectly. In all honesty, it's probably the easiest job on the field, especially if you have the ability that Aussie does.

I agree again, and I think there was a certain level of impatience in not letting him develop into a role up forward. The other consideration, and I think Stef is starting to show it now, is that his size, speed and athleticism make him the perfect utility who can ruck. We know he is excellent in the back line, and he is showing his on ball talents now. If they pop him in the goalsquare frequently, I have very little doubt he'll make it his own. Then your Stef-Aussie crumbing dream might just come true.....here's hoping huh?

[The Chazz 4,077]

I agree again, and I think there was a certain level of impatience in not letting him develop into a role up forward. The other consideration, and I think Stef is starting to show it now, is that his size, speed and athleticism make him the perfect utility who can ruck. We know he is excellent in the back line, and he is showing his on ball talents now. If they pop him in the goalsquare frequently, I have very little doubt he'll make it his own. Then your Stef-Aussie crumbing dream might just come true.....here's hoping huh?

Cheers mate. Had this same conversation with Barry Prendegast about 2 years ago at a local (SE Qld) football match. TBH, I didn't even know it was him! It was nice to know that he and I were on the same page.

[Weedster 174]

Despite a poor performance yesterday i'd like to draw some attention to a gleaming positive for the season thus far (other than Tapscott).

Stef Martin has improved out of sight and is becoming quite a handy asset (a la Leigh Brown at Collingwood).

In his first two games for 2011 he has got to many more contests than in seasons past and is now proving quite a viable back up in the ruck supporting the Russian.

ROUND 1 - 17 disposals, 6 hit outs, 1 tackle and some important contested marks

ROUND 2 - 14 disposals, 7 hit outs, 3 tackles

He obviously couldn't ruck a whole game on his own but i think with his speed and improved fitness is only going to get better from here. He showed he is quite quick yesterday when given the ball and should be tried deep up forward occasionally if possible.

Obviously, yesterday was a dirty day for us all but, in my opinion he (along with Tapscott) have been revelations thus far. Perhaps Stef isn't given much kudos by the football world just yet but to a keen Melbourne supporter he is starting to show some good signs.

Agree - Martin has a huge upside for us B)

[Jordie_tackles 354]

According to the club sitet his kid is same height and 1kg less than Jamar, surely not he has put it on but really? am loving his work to date

[Jordie_tackles 354]

And also at age 24 or so, big kids taking time? rucks tend to come good around this age....tend to forget he was twenty odd when we recruited him

[Guest watts04]

happy to persist with martin and leave spencer and gawn in the ressies....

i reckon martin has been super and still has upside

ruck stocks look ok now and should be good next year