While David Swallow and Sam Collins stole the show for their final-minute heroics on Sunday, a young Gold Coast star took another big step to fulfilling his limitless potential.
Jack Martin has turned heads often since his debut in 2014, but the 24-disposal, one-goal outing against Fremantle was a four-quarter showcase of all the attributes that make him such a rare talent.
Martin has been undersold for his career to date, finishing top-three in Gold Coast's best and fairest twice, and being a victim of his own versatility, thrust back, in the midfield and forward depending on needs.
If the opening fortnight of 2019 is any indication though, that is about to change.
Coach Stuart Dew says Martin has now earnt more time in the midfield, with the remaining minutes to be spent forward, rather than vice-versa.
"Jack's instigated that by his pre-season," Dew said.
"We had a really good chat at the end of last year about what type of player Jack wants to be and how we could help facilitate that – our end of the bargain and his.
"We're confident we've held up ours, and Jack's certainly held up his with the way he attacked pre-season and in really good shape.
"He's given himself every opportunity to play more on-ball and like you saw, he can certainly be a dangerous forward as well."
Despite missing three shots at goal he should have kicked, Martin's influence was profound, with only Swallow and Fremantle superstar Nat Fyfe winning more than his 13 contested possessions.
Martin also took nine marks, had three clearances and kicked a brilliant running goal in the fourth quarter to give Gold Coast some life when it trailed by 17 points.
It was the third-most disposals in his 83-game career, but Dew said it wasn't all about numbers for the 24-year-old.
"Some players can get 30 and we're not sure where they go and what they do, but Jack's possessions are quality.
"If he can influence the game like he did, whether it's 15 or 20 we don't mind. I think he's a really influential player and the opposition would be wary of him."
