The buzz around young Gold Coast SUNS star Jack Martin continues to grow, with Hawthorn premiership star and Indigenous All Stars captain Shaun Burgoyne quick to give praise after Friday’s exhibition game against West Coast.
The All Stars went down to the Eagles by eight points in a sluggish affair at Medibank Stadium in Perth, however Martin’s class stood out for the Indigenous side in the midfield and across half back.
"He showed some really good signs out there," Burgoyne said.
"There's big wraps on Jack, and you can see why Gold Coast were so keen to wrap him up for a few years.”
Jack Martin looks like he will be some player. Yet to kick a goal but was the All-Stars most lively forward. Future gun
— Dale Miller (@miller_dj) February 20, 2015
20-year-old Martin enjoyed a breakout game in round 23 last year against the same opposition, booting four goals against the Eagles in a performance which illustrated why SUNS recruiting staff were so keen to tie him down with an unprecedented five-year deal in April 2013.
On Friday night, Burgoyne witnessed first-hand the same qualities Scott Clayton and his team saw in the West Australian prodigy.
"He (Martin) looks like he's going to be a special player. For a young player, he's got some special attributes,” Burgoyne said.
"He's quite mature and composed. He's got a lot of upside. He's going to have a long career."
RELATED: Confident Martin ready to build on last game
Good luck to these four who will represent the @AFL_Indigenous All Stars tonight against the Eagles in Perth. #gcsuns pic.twitter.com/0fy4kOjjM8
— GC SUNS (@GoldCoastSUNS) February 20, 2015
West Coast Eagles v Indigenous All Stars score
WEST COAST 3.2 4.2 5.5 7.7 (49)
AFL ALL STARS 1.2 5.6 5.9 5.11 (41)
GOALS
West Coast: McGovern, Sheppard, Wellingham, Gaff, Cripps, Powell, Lamb
AFL All Stars: Edwards, Jetta, Yarran, Pickett, B.Hill
BEST
West Coast: Wellingham, Masten, Gaff, Schofield, Sinclair, Cripps
AFL All Stars: Burgoyne, Harbrow, Martin, B.Hill, S.Hill
INJURIES
West Coast: nil
AFL All Stars: nil
Reports: nil
Crowd: 10,000 (approx) at Medibank Stadium