Going into this year I was a little nervous about Jamar going down. It was the talk against other teams supporters, that if Jamar was to go down - game over MFC.

Spencer always makes me nervous, how far away is Gawn and can Robbie Campbell be a praise. Little did I think of Martin.

Stef has stepped up the last three games. What a great relief to my mind. And after 30 odd games, he is only going to get better.

Yep, Stef Martin is quickly coming of age. Loved the starting 18 with him up forward. His ruck work is good, his flexibility is full of potential, he is amazingly quick and is quickly becoming a reliable mark.

At some stage in 2012 I am looking forward to Jamar, Martin and Gawn all being in the starting 22.

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Yup, gotta say, haven't thought much of him before this year other than he's a good size and seems clumsy, but he has really started to win me over. Could bring something to the ruck table that's different from the typical and be a real asset.

I liked the promise he showed early in his career. Then came the injuries, then last years pre-season I watched him drop marks and look completely unco and pretty much put a line through him.

He's been the big improver so far, very happy with his agility and he puts in an honest contest to relieve Jamar.

Seems to be someone come from nowhere each year.

After what Jamar has done, it gives me hope than anyone can suddenly click and get moving. Stef is on his way, I wonder if Newton can do the same?

He looks far better down back and comfortable in the ruck. Up forward he looks lost. Don't play him there until he can provide a contest every time. At least bring the ball to ground and don't allow an easy defensive clearances. As soon as he went back he looked like an AFL defender. In the ruck he showed deftness with his taps, as he has done in the first two games. He seems to have some confidence back which is helping.

That run out on the Southern Stand wing shows the confidence is growing. Great competitor and has much going for him.

An exceptional athlete for a player of his height. Showed promise prior to his injury frustrated year last year and is now fit again and showing good signs in the ruck and defence and around the ground. His athleticism and flexibility is particularly important in the era of the substitute. He does need to improve his forward play but to do that he needs to spend soe time up forward which may frustrate but is required for his overall development.

I loved his game today. Was also a great asset in defence. Always in the right spot in the last quarter. Decision making and skills have improved and played smart.

Hmm good thing the footy dept can see things some here can't otherwise he would have been axed 2 yrs ago.....

My mate and I commented today on how confident he's looking. So much so, that everytime he got the ball in space, he looked like he wanted to tuck it under the arm and have a few bounces. Just remember your role son, you'll be alright...

Very impressed with his improvement this year, hope he can stay fit and in the 22 all year (not a huge Spencer fan at this stage)

An exceptional athlete for a player of his height. Showed promise prior to his injury frustrated year last year and is now fit again and showing good signs in the ruck and defence and around the ground. His athleticism and flexibility is particularly important in the era of the substitute. He does need to improve his forward play but to do that he needs to spend soe time up forward which may frustrate but is required for his overall development.

And the player he is now most reminiscent of.......yes, one Jimmy Stynes.

Going into this year I was a little nervous about Jamar going down. It was the talk against other teams supporters, that if Jamar was to go down - game over MFC.

If Jamar went down, Martin would fill in for the remainder of the match, but Spencer would be the #1 ruckman the following week. First and second ruck are both specialist positions in the current environment. I and others said over the pre-season that the second ruckman position had Martin's name written all over it and he's grasped it with both hands. Very pleasing.

Martin is the perfect number 2 ruck.

Jamar is the perfect number 1 ruck.

Spencer and Gawn are both replacement number 1s.

Martin is the perfect number 2 ruck.

Jamar is the perfect number 1 ruck.

Spencer and Gawn are both replacement number 1s.

Spot on

If Jamar went down, Martin would fill in for the remainder of the match, but Spencer would be the #1 ruckman the following week. First and second ruck are both specialist positions in the current environment. I and others said over the pre-season that the second ruckman position had Martin's name written all over it and he's grasped it with both hands. Very pleasing.

Good summary

Martin is the perfect number 2 ruck.

Jamar is the perfect number 1 ruck.

Spencer and Gawn are both replacement number 1s.

And Gawn is 2-3 years away from AFL atm. Spencer is showing positive improvement.

as one guy said...martin looks better down back and rotating through the ruck. Go Martin!

jamar is better up forward...knows how to take contested marks in the forward line...but needs to kick the goal himself after the mark.

would be amazing if we could play martin in the back half, gawn in the ruck and jamar in the forward line...then roate them through.

as one guy said...martin looks better down back and rotating through the ruck. Go Martin!

jamar is better up forward...knows how to take contested marks in the forward line...but needs to kick the goal himself after the mark.

would be amazing if we could play martin in the back half, gawn in the ruck and jamar in the forward line...then roate them through.

As opposed to this year playing Martin at Full Forward, and Jamar in the ruck, then rotating them both, to allow Frawley, Garland and Rivers as our main defenders?

As Maldonboy said, it was good to see Martin start forward yesterday, and if I recall, the very first passage of play we kicked it long to him, he made a contest and brought the ball to the ground. I'll continue to scream for this to happen, but feel I'm fighting a losing battle! Especially as the general feeling on here is that he is a better defender.

Our forward line is crying out for stability, and I think our midfield will go to another level when we get it.

I actually thought Martin wasn't much good up in the forward line. However, he is a completely different payer in the backline. He came into the game more when he was moved to the backline and he acquitted himself quit well, IMO. He just seems more composed with the ball coming to him. Whilst in the ruck, he didn't play well, but didn't play poorly. Maybe the backline is his niche. It would be good if it is, as our KPB depth was highlighted as being rather poor if Chip goes down. Apologies to Garland, he's the only decent one left. Martin could be very valuable as another KPB. If he improves his ruckwork, maybe he can become a key versatile player in our team. For the moment, play him in the backline where he can get some confidence.

I actually thought Martin wasn't much good up in the forward line. However, he is a completely different payer in the backline. He came into the game more when he was moved to the backline and he acquitted himself quit well, IMO. He just seems more composed with the ball coming to him. Whilst in the ruck, he didn't play well, but didn't play poorly. Maybe the backline is his niche. It would be good if it is, as our KPB depth was highlighted as being rather poor if Chip goes down. Apologies to Garland, he's the only decent one left. Martin could be very valuable as another KPB. If he improves his ruckwork, maybe he can become a key versatile player in our team. For the moment, play him in the backline where he can get some confidence.

It's an interesting topic young Stef. What I need a few posters to do is explain what their definition of "no good up forward" actually means? Is it the fact that he hasn't really troubled the scoreboard when playing forward? What are your expectations of the big-bodied full forward that 99% of Melbourne supporters are crying out for?

He reminds me a lot of David Neitz. Where was his best position? Sure, he holds the record for the most goals for the MFC, but he was one of the best CHB going around, and one of only a couple that could regularly defeat Wayne Carey.

It seems to me that Martin is getting better with every game played. No doubt confidence has a lot to do with it, so with that in mind, will he continue that development if left at Full Forward? Where does he fit in our backline? I honestly think he is maybe our 4th best tall defender (behind Frawley, Garland and Rivers), so by playing him back, are we going to big? Obviously it depends on match-ups, etc, but I wouldn't have thought we would need any more than 3 tall defenders.

Maybe this year will be a great season to try him out in a variety of positions, so that next year, when we will be serious top 8 players, he can concentrate on holding down that one position. Bails has made it clear that he wants players to able to play in more than one position, so giving Stef that exposure now is probably going to give us greater flexibility in the years to come.

I would just love to see him play out of the goal square, so our mids have got someone of decent size to pump it long to. If the ball hits the ground, it'll be one for the highlight reels when Aussie and LJ are their crumbing. Then, if we are getting smashed down back (which shouldn't happen very often), Martin can then be used as a back-up defender.

Would love to know your thoughts, but explain your reasons in more detail! I'm happy to be persuaded to think differently, but will need some good explanation!

Martin was serviceable down forward by bringing the ball to ground for a contest but until he can start to actually mark some of the long bombs he will only remain serviceable at best.

Seems to be able to take the contested marks down back but not up forward....

Regarding the last couple of posts, I think the kicking to Martin was often not to his advantage. Anyway, what I expect is a contest; nothing more.

as one guy said...martin looks better down back and rotating through the ruck. Go Martin!

jamar is better up forward...knows how to take contested marks in the forward line...but needs to kick the goal himself after the mark.

would be amazing if we could play martin in the back half, gawn in the ruck and jamar in the forward line...then roate them through.

Spot on. This trio playing in that structure will give us a huge big man advantage. However, I would like the FD to persevere with Martin in the forward 50 until a big body player develops or arrives. He is showing that he learns well and a few more games inside forward 50 might see his positioning and attack on the ball improve in the same manner his ruck work and defensive work are.

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Martin was serviceable down forward by bringing the ball to ground for a contest but until he can start to actually mark some of the long bombs he will only remain serviceable at best.

Seems to be able to take the contested marks down back but not up forward....

I don't want him practicing to take pack marks in defence - I'd prefer he spoils! At least if he tries to mark in our forward line, and if it is spoiled, then we should have crumbers at his feet.

Remember we tried to recruit Hale to either take marks in the fwd line or bring it to ground for our crumbers.

We have done better by recruiting internally for that role. Well done Stef. The Experience continues. Keep it up.

Remember we tried to recruit Hale to either take marks in the fwd line or bring it to ground for our crumbers.

We have done better by recruiting internally for that role.

I thought Hale was doing okay for Hawthorn.