Carlton captain Patrick Cripps is a big admirer of Jack Martin and revealed he played a role in getting him to Ikon Park.
Martin eventually joined the Blues from Gold Coast in the pre-season draft having been a prodigiously talented junior when he arrived at the Suns as a 17-year-old.
Cripps, who played junior football with Martin in Western Australia, says he encouraged the 25-year-old to nominate the Blues as his club of choice.
“I played a bit of junior footy with him back home in WA, so I was trying to get him down all year,” Cripps told SEN Breakfast.
“I was pretty pumped once he made the move. I think none of us have seen the best of Jack Martin. I might have tried to help a little bit.
“I played with him back in 2010 and he was the best player in the carnival by the length of the Flemington (straight) I think – he was amazing.
“His talent as a 15 to 18-year-old was unmatched, so I hope to see a bit of that this year.”
Martin was lively in his first outing for Carlton in their Marsh series loss to Fremantle, recording nine disposals and booting a goal in a half of football.
“He (Martin) has been super. He came with a real mindset to impress straight away,” Cripps added.
“He played a half on the weekend against the Dockers and thought he was our standout the way he attacked the ball.”
The Blues host Brisbane in their final Marsh Series hit out at Ikon Park on Sunday.
Today only, Bluebaggers
Buy a 3 Game membership and get access to six.
Join now by clicking below or call 1300 227 586.
Listen to Patrick Cripps’ chat on SEN Breakfast in the player below