As the excitement builds ahead of the SUNS return to Metricon Stadium for Round 11, the match will hold even more significance for SUNS forward Jack Martin. 

It’s a chance for the 23-year-old to represent his people. 

This weekend is Sir Doug Nicholls Round and an opportunity for all clubs and players to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of Indigenous people to the game of AFL. 

“It’s obviously an important round for us and personally for myself,” Martin told SUNS TV.

“It’s one that I look forward to every year and to be able go out there and pull on the guernsey and represent my people back at home and all the past and present indigenous players, I think it’s just fantastic.”

Martin is of Aboriginal descent and hails from Broome, Western Australia.

“My people are the Yawuru people there in the region from Broome,” Martin said.

“I grew up there when I was younger, I was born there, most of my family are still back there so as I said I’m looking forward to the round and it’s a very proud moment for myself.”

Gold Coast’s 2018 Sir Doug Nicholls Round Indigenous guernsey was launched last Friday, with Martin’s Yawuru people represented on the back amongst totems symbolising each of the club’s Indigenous players.

“The club and the local Indigenous man Luther Cora, I think they’ve done a fantastic job again this year with the guernsey and the boys are excited to run out and pull on the colours this week.”

“I’ll be looking forward to getting out there this weekend and doing my family and my people proud.” 

The SUNS returned to training this week following the bye and Martin says he can already sense a renewed energy running through the group.

“Everyone’s excited. We came in this morning and the excitement’s there, you can feel it,” Martin said.

“We’re back at home this weekend in front of our home crowd so we’re just looking forward to getting out there Saturday.”