Jack Martin’s extended period on the sidelines will provide the injured midfielder with a key opportunity to improve his football development, according to Gold Coast SUNS list & strategy manager Scott Clayton.
Martin had surgery on his shoulder this week, but later on in his recovery he will learn about opposition analysis with the GC SUNS coaching staff.
“He will have a bit of a break, but the coaches will give him some stuff to do around other AFL teams (opposition reports), so he will get that mental development from not playing and being able to watch more footy,” Clayton told Crocmedia’s Sportsday program.
Listen to Scott Clayton's full interview on SUNS Radio
It won’t be the first time a Gold Coast player has plied their trade with the club’s opposition analysis department.
Last year, Tom Lynch and Brandon Matera were flown down to Melbourne to study the SUNS’ round 18 opponent in Carlton, before heading back home to deliver a detailed report to the rest of the playing group.
Clayton believes Martin will be equally as eager to develop under the tutelage of the club’s opposition strategist, Brett Munro.
“Knowing him he will be knocking on the door to do that.”
Watching on from the Gold Coast coaching box in round one, Clayton’s heart sank after he saw his young football find go down with injury in the early minutes of the team’s 18-point victory against Richmond.
The master scout had waited almost eighteen months to see his prized recruit in a SUNS Guernsey, after securing the highly talented West Australian through the GWS mini-draft in October, 2012.
Despite the setback, Clayton is confident Martin will bounce back from the injury setback a stronger footballer for the experience.
“It was frustrating, and I feel for him and his family because he just wants to be a professional athlete and after two pre-seasons he was ready to go,” Clayton said.
“(But) we think he is going to have a 15-year career.
“He’ll come back bigger and better because he has such a strong desire to be the best player he can be.”
