At age 18, Jack Martin has already experienced the worst of life as an AFL footballer.

His vaunted round one debut was over before it even started, with Martin suffering a serious shoulder injury just ten minutes into his new career.

Throughout the club’s pre-season match simulation and NAB Challenge matches, Martin excited fans, coaches and even teammates with his dazzling displays and silky-smooth skills.

While his first game at the top might have been short lived, the young midfielder showed a real glimpse of his celebrated talent.

Having been sidelined for the past two-and-a-half months, Martin says the extended stint has only made him all the more hungrier to make the most of his opportunity on the national stage.

“It was unfortunate that I got injured in round one but that takes the weight off my shoulders now,” he told The Cairns Post.

“It was frustrating at the time but it’s gone quickly and I’m not too far away now.

“I’ve played my first game and now I can go out there free-minded.”

With an expected three weeks left in his rehab program, the West Australian product is edging closer to making his return to the playing field.

In Cairns for a two-day promotional tour for round 17’s far north Queensland clash between the Gold Coast SUNS and the Western Bulldogs, Martin said the city’s relaxed tropical lifestyle has made the visit all the more worthwhile.

Martin has completed a number of skills clinics in the North Queensland region, which acts as a key recruitment catchment for the Gold Coast SUNS Academy program.

Similar to many of the club’s far north Queensland prospects, Martin made the move from Perth at the age of 16 to further enhance his chances of one day achieving his AFL dream.

“It was hard when I first left home but I knew I had to do it if I wanted to go to the next level,” he said.

“I made that move when I was young and it was pretty scary and daunting. If was tough leaving family and friends behind but there wasn’t much in Broome after juniors.

“I had a lot of mates back home that were starting to go out and I might have got caught up in that.

“But it’s worked out for the best now. It’s made me the person I am now.

“I’m thankful for the move. My parents played a big part in that and I got a lot of support.

“There is a lot of talent up north and if you’re willing to make the move, which is the biggest struggle for a lot of people, it can pay off.”