AFL legend Leigh Matthews says veteran ruckman Stefan Martin could prove a shrewd acquisition by the Western Bulldogs.
Martin was snapped up by the Bulldogs last trade period and will provide support for Tim English as the 23-year-old continues to mature and develop his ruck craft.
After falling out of favour at Brisbane, the 34-year-old gives Dogs coach Luke Beveridge another ruck option and allows English to push forward if required.
“An experienced player getting a second chance that’s going to really help his club is Stefan Martin at the Bulldogs,” Matthews told Sportsday.
“He lost his status at the Lions with Oscar McInerney coming through.
“But Tim English so often last year, he’s a really good young player and he’s going to be outstanding, but sometimes he looks too light.
“So for a year or two where English can develop as a big forward and do a little bit of ruck work until he gets to his mid-20s and becomes big and strong enough, Stefan Martin will be good value.”
Beveridge said Martin, who has 190 games worth of experience under his belt, will bring some “real vigour” around the ball at the stoppages.
“He’s a big ruck rover type and we’ll get him to play to his strengths,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“It means we’ll be able to play Tim forward a little bit more and hopefully he can add a little bit more chemistry to Aaron Naughton, Josh Bruce and our smalls and mediums down there.”
English booted two goals and spent time forward during the Bulldogs’ recent scratch match against Hawthorn.
Martin joined the Dogs on a one-year deal.
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