Jack Martin’s development year in the NEAFL was honoured at the 68^th annual J.A. Grogan Medal Awards Dinner last night - the Gold Coaster earning honorary selection in the NEAFL Northern Conference Team of the Year.

Playing just 12 of the possible 18 NEAFL fixtures, Martin finished in the top ten count (11 votes) for the NEAFL’s most prestigious individual honour.

After picking up the maximum three votes in his debut match against Mt. Gravatt in Round 2, Martin showed all the makings of a future AFL star.

Despite missing six matches, Martin was just three votes shy off eventual winner Hayden Kiel by Round 18.

Named in the forward pocket alongside Southport’s Jason Burge and NT Thunder’s Darren Ewing, Martin was the only Gold Coast SUNS player to make the final cut.  

GC SUNS NEAFL coach – Shaun Hart, told goldcoastfc.com.au Martin’s team of the year selection was a fantastic achievement.

“It’s a great achievement for a bloke who only played 12 matches throughout the season,” he said.

“Had he played 18 votes he could well have polled much higher.”

“Regardless, it’s a very good effort.”

All ten NEAFL clubs have at least one representative in the team of the year, with Southport heading the count with five players named.

Aspley, NT, and Redland, all have three players featured.
 

NEAFL Northern Conference Team of the Year

FB: Brad Howard (RED), Michael Hutchinson (ASP), Wayde Mills (SOU)

HB: Daniel Wise (SOU), Scott Clarke (MOR), Daniel Dzufer (RED)

C: Cheynee Stiller (ASP), Cameron Ilett (NT), Patrick Karnezis (BL)

HF: Chris Dunne (NT), Steven Gaertner (RED), Josh Baxter (SOU)

FF: Jason Burge (SOU), Darren Ewing (NT), Jack Martin (GC)

Rucks: Fraser Thurlow (LAB), Jack Crisp (BL), Haydn Kiel (SOU)

INT: Ryan Matthews (ASP), Adam Eckermann (MTG), Mitch Brewer (BRO), Paul Shelton (MOR)