Resting the Jack Martin in the NEAFL SUNS last two Premiership matches against Labrador and Broadbeach may be the only thing that costs the teenage sensation from claiming the Grogan Medal as the NEAFL’s best and fairest.

Rated among the favourites to take out the honour, Martin had been exceptional in the feeder competition this year.

In fact, if not for being managed throughout the year by the Club’s high performance team, the 18-year-old would be a near certainty to take home the award.

Playing 12 of the team’s 18 fixtures, Martin dropped jaws and turned heads with his silky-smooth moves and rare talent.

But with senior-listed players Kyal Horsley and Jack Hutchins having produced stand-out matches, and rookie Josh Hall earning considerable praise in the twos, Martin may be thwart by some of his team mates according to NEAFL coach Shaun Hart.

“Jack has had a really strong year and a few stand-out games, but he was amongst guys like Kyal Horsley, Josh Hall and others around the ground that also played pretty well on some occasion,” Hart said.

“I believe he will poll reasonably well but I think it might be tough for him to win it considering he missed a few games.”

But with reigning winners Ryan Davey (Labrador), Fraser Pope (Southport) and Tom Salter (Redland) only polling 14 votes each, Martin’s slim chances certainly aren’t buried.

Regardless, Hart said Martin’s terrific year had better prepared him to take on the bigger bodies and more physical demands of playing AFL when eligible in 2014.

“He’s developed and shown plenty of promise through the NEAFL.”