Highly-rated Gold Coast SUNS teenager Jack Martin will make his much-anticipated return to the AFL on Saturday, with the young gun selected to play against Geelong at Metricon Stadium.
Martin’s inclusion will see him replace Aaron Hall (omitted) for the team’s crucial round 14 match with the Cats.
The exciting West Australian makes his long-awaited comeback from shoulder surgery, an injury he suffered in the opening quarter against Richmond in round one.
But after completing a mountain of conditioning in rehab, Martin is ready to re-commence his AFL career.
Similar to Zac Smith’s successful round seven return, Martin will be thrust back into senior football without a reserves game under his belt.
His chances of senior selection had improved in recent weeks after he returned to the senior training squad earlier this month, but it wasn't until yesterday, when he received the green light from his surgeon to return to football, that Martin's selection became a formality.
General Manager - Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft, told goldcoast.com.au the club was confident Martin’s elite conditioning base would give him every opportunity to make a strong return to the AFL.
“Jack has done everything right throughout his rehabilitation program, and we have every confidence the conditioning he has completed will help him at AFL level,” Ashcroft said.
“He has been given full medical clearance form his surgeon and has trained strongly with the main group in recent weeks.
“We’re all looking forward to seeing him return to the senior team.”
Martin said he can’t wait to pull on his #4 guernsey for the second time in his fledging career.
“I’m pretty excited,” he said.
“I got the news yesterday and I’m extremely confident in the work that I’ve done.
“I’m looking forward to getting back out there with the boys.”
Meantime, Zac Smith will become the 15th player to notch 50 games for the Gold Coast SUNS when he runs out on Saturday. He made his debut against Carlton in round 2, 2011, with the club’s inaugural team.
Jesse Lonergan’s senior chances are on the rise, with the robust midfielder listed as an emergency for the first time this season.
Round 14 AFL Premiership Team
B: K. Kolodjashnij, S. May, G. Broughton
HB: M. Shaw, R. Thompson, T. McKenzie
C: J. Harbrow, G. Ablett, M. Rischitelli
HF: D. Stanley, T. Lynch, H. Bennell
F: C. Dixon, S. Day, B. Matera
R: Z Smith, J. O’Meara, D. Prestia
INT: A. Sexton, J. Martin, L. Russell, D. Swallow
Emergency: M. Warnock, J. Lonergan, S. Lemmens
In: Martin
Out: Hall (omit)
