When Jack Martin entered the AFL system as a 17-year-old in 2013, he was one of the most-hyped teenagers in the game’s history.

Football legend Malcolm Blight said the first tape he saw of Martin was the best he’d ever seen, while former SUNS assistant Shaun Hart likened him to a combination of Lions premiership players Nigel Lappin, Michael Voss and Daryl White.



After two injury-interrupted seasons at the top level, the West Australian compiled a performance in the 26-point win over Fremantle on Saturday that reminded the country exactly what he is capable of.

Martin finished the game with four goals and 11 marks to provide the perfect one-two punch with vice-captain Tom Lynch, who booted five.

Speaking to BLK RAW after the game, the 21-year-old believes both he and the entire group has matured over the off-season, with a new level of professionalism driving the SUNS’ start to 2016.



“I think I’ve matured. I know what I’ve got to do now to keep my body right, and just tapping into the older guys, seeing what they do and experiencing and experimenting new things,” Martin said.

“I’m feeling pretty well at the moment actually, you know body’s good, had a good pre-season and I’m feeling fit.

“The main thing is I just have to look after my body week-to-week, try and stay injury free and try and get on the park and play as many games as I can."