Jonathan Brown delivered Stefan Martin a painful AFL baptism five years ago, but now the former Demon is licking his lips at learning from the best with the Brisbane Lions.
Martin is already enjoying life in Brisbane, and looking forward to a pre-season cup final against Carlton just four months after being traded by Melbourne.
The late-blooming tall is being groomed as the Lions’ second ruckman and is expected to spend most of his time working in tandem in front of goals with co-captain Brown.
Martin is rapt to be mentored by the triple-premiership power forward, especially after being handed a lesson of a different sort in his senior debut against Brisbane way back in 2008.
“I had to play on him for a minute or two in the first quarter and he went on this long run and I was blowing up in 30 seconds and I was really hoping ‘can I get a change here?'” he recalled.
“It was a pretty intimidating welcome.
“I’m so happy that he’s such a great teacher as well. He can really express the finer details of playing as a forward.
“I’m just going to learn as much as I can from him.”
Martin and fellow former Demon Brent Maloney have made a positive early impression with the Lions and he’s well pleased to have made the move.
Melbourne and Brisbane wrangled over his trade for days last October when the Demons wanted pick No.33 in exchange and the Lions were only willing to give up No.53.
In the end, Brisbane also offered No.73 and the deal was done.
“I felt that I was ready for a change and I guess Melbourne felt that way too,” he said. “I was definitely open to it and pretty excited when it happened.”
An Australian under-20 basketballer at 17, Martin only kicked a footy for the first time at 19, so he strongly believes he still has plenty of improvement left in him at 26.
“Even on the weekend (against Collingwood) I missed several opportunities that I feel I can iron out and then have a greater impact on the game,” he said.
Brisbane Lions, one of five clubs to have never won a pre-season cup, are set to field their strongest line-up against the Blues but round one still remains the priority.
Defender Daniel Merrett, who also played in the 2007 NAB Cup decider against Carlton, rated it another Etihad Stadium “dress rehearsal” for the March 30 season-opener against the Western Bulldogs.
“Four points means a bit more in the long run but it’s all about winning games and creating culture, and having a little trophy in the cabinet would be nice as it’s been a while,” he said.
“Hopefully we can get one back on (Carlton).”
