STEF Martin is optimistic his performance against Fremantle will be a pointer for when All-Australian ruckman Mark Jamar resumes.
The much-improved big man vied for best-on-ground honours in Melbourne’s 89-point win over Fremantle at the MCG on Sunday.
Martin kicked three goals and spent a greater amount of time up forward, allowing developing big man Max Gawn to gain further exposure in the ruck.
Although Martin also played in the ruck and spent some time down back, it was his ability to impact up forward that added another string to his bow.
With Jamar a chance to return against Richmond at the MCG this Saturday, Martin was hopeful his effort against Freo was a sign of things to come.
“Hopefully it can turn out that way,” Martin said.
“We haven’t had that conversation yet [with the coaches] about the plan going forward, but I’ve always believed that I could contribute forward, and hopefully it’s the start of things to come.
“It’s pretty important as a second ruckman to be able to play forward as well.”
Martin said his effort was one of his most important, in terms of his ability to highlight another area of his game.
“It was a significant game in terms of contributing up forward,” he said.
“I’m not too fussed at where it’s rated, in terms of my best game, but it’s probably just the significance of it.”
Reflecting on Melbourne’s 89-point win, Martin said the result was “a complete 180 degree turnaround” from the 88-point loss to Collingwood on Queen’s Birthday.
“We’re happy with it. We needed to respond, and luckily we did. It’s a huge relief. It’s exciting, but we had to have a good result,” he said.
“It felt like we were moving the ball a lot better than we were last week, and our press was working better.
“We were definitely more switched on, so it felt like enjoyable footy, as opposed to last week, when we were on the back foot for the whole game. It’s no fun at all and not what we want.
“The margin was more than par, but we had to get a win and the next game comes around quickly again, so we have to remain focused and not relapse again.”
Martin’s intent and ability to keep running was also evident throughout, and something he made a focus.
“As a group and individually, we wanted to,” he said.
“I wanted to attack it as hard as I could. You’ve got to play hard footy and the ball is the most important thing.
“Not starting in the ruck and being up forward, you’ve got to use all of your efforts to get a possession, so that was part of it too.”
Coach Dean Bailey praised Martin’s effort, saying that the versatile tall was progressing each week.
“Steffy analyses just about every minute of the game a bit too much. He certainly analyses his own game harshly - like most players do,” he said.
“But you see some things [that he does] during the game that you think: ‘that’s an elite thing to do’. And we’re starting to see more of them [from Stef].
“With Russian (Mark Jamar) being out, Steffy has really grabbed hold of that position and started to build some confidence from it. Even some of the things he did today were still very good … some of his ruck work was quite good, but he’s incredibly agile and that’s from his basketball background.
“He’s still got a lot of areas to work on his game, but he’s growing in his confidence and he feels like his game is coming together.”
“It was a significant game in terms of contributing up forward,” he said.
“I’m not too fussed at where it’s rated, in terms of my best game, but it’s probably just the significance of it.”
Reflecting on Melbourne’s 89-point win, Martin said the result was “a complete 180 degree turnaround” from the 88-point loss to Collingwood on Queen’s Birthday.
“We’re happy with it. We needed to respond, and luckily we did. It’s a huge relief. It’s exciting, but we had to have a good result,” he said.
“It felt like we were moving the ball a lot better than we were last week, and our press was working better.
“We were definitely more switched on, so it felt like enjoyable footy, as opposed to last week, when we were on the back foot for the whole game. It’s no fun at all and not what we want.
“The margin was more than par, but we had to get a win and the next game comes around quickly again, so we have to remain focused and not relapse again.”
Martin’s intent and ability to keep running was also evident throughout, and something he made a focus.
“As a group and individually, we wanted to,” he said.
“I wanted to attack it as hard as I could. You’ve got to play hard footy and the ball is the most important thing.
“Not starting in the ruck and being up forward, you’ve got to use all of your efforts to get a possession, so that was part of it too.”
Coach Dean Bailey praised Martin’s effort, saying that the versatile tall was progressing each week.
“Steffy analyses just about every minute of the game a bit too much. He certainly analyses his own game harshly - like most players do,” he said.
“But you see some things [that he does] during the game that you think: ‘that’s an elite thing to do’. And we’re starting to see more of them [from Stef].
“With Russian (Mark Jamar) being out, Steffy has really grabbed hold of that position and started to build some confidence from it. Even some of the things he did today were still very good … some of his ruck work was quite good, but he’s incredibly agile and that’s from his basketball background.
“He’s still got a lot of areas to work on his game, but he’s growing in his confidence and he feels like his game is coming together.”
