SEVENTEEN-year-old Gold Coast recruit Jack Martin has been given permission to play in the NAB Cup.

The talented West Australian, picked up by the SUNS in last year's GWS mini-draft, is not eligible to play senior football until 2014.

But, as it did for Jaeger O'Meara last February, the AFL will allow the SUNS to give Martin an early taste via the pre-season competition.

Gold Coast took Martin, an impressive inside and outside midfielder, with the first pick in the mini-draft, which it secured by trading pick two in the NAB AFL Draft to the Giants.

He had been keenly sought by several other clubs.

O'Meara impressed in his NAB Cup outings last season, before spending the remainder of the year playing with Gold Coast's NEAFL team.

He is on track to make his senior debut in round one this year.

Melbourne has not asked permission for its mini-draft selection, key position prospect Jesse Hogan, to play in the NAB Cup.