One game down, five to go. It’s a simple equation, but an important one for injury-plagued Jack Martin. The prodigious talent has endured a frustrating start to his time at the Gold Coast SUNS and despite the last five weeks having little bearing on his side’s season, Martin can build some continuity heading into the summer.
In his first game since straining his hamstring in the opening minute of the round nine encounter with Hawthorn in Tasmania, Martin worked his way into the game on Saturday night, finishing with 13 possessions at a disposal efficiency rate of 92.3 per cent, as well as five tackles and two goal assists.
Rehabilitation can be a monotonous period for any player, particularly one who has played minimal senior football. But despite the frustration, Martin revealed that he enjoyed his time away from the game, as it allowed him to get on top of his injury issues.
“It’s my first game in seven weeks. Seven weeks on the sidelines, I got the chance to get my body right,” Martin told SUNS RAW after Gold Coast’s draw with West Coast on Saturday night.
“As silly as it sounds, I enjoyed my time in rehab, it’s given me the opportunity to get my body right and my body’s feeling good. It’s good to get through uninjured.”
2015 has been a disappointing season for Gold Coast, with wins eluding Rodney Eade’s side for the majority of the year. Although Saturday night’s result was still not a win, two premiership points are better than none, especially when you consider the quality of the opposition.
After three weeks of poor last quarters, Martin said that Eade was happy with how the SUNS finished off the game, particularly after it looked like West Coast were going to run away with the game late in the piece.
“Rocket was pretty pleased with the effort throughout the night. The boys dug in towards the last quarter there. We didn’t come away with the win, but we can get a lot out of the game moving forward in to next week,” Eade said.
“He was just pleased with the effort. West Coast are a top two side, and to get out there tonight and produce what we did, Rocket was really pleased.”
Martin putting injury issues behind him
Jack Martin has revealed that he enjoyed his time away from the game, as it allowed him to get on top of his injury issues.
