“A similar sort of story to Tim Kelly”: Bombers recruit tipped to make West Coast “pay the price”
Essendon recruit Nick Martin could make the West Coast Eagles pay for failing to pick him up, according to his WAFL coach, Beau Wardman.
The Bombers signed Martin and Tex Wanganeen on Wednesday after the club’s practice game win over the Western Bulldogs, both catching the eye with their performances.
Martin featured as a half-forward and on the wing, and Subiaco coach Wardman believes the success is a testament to the 20-year-old’s work ethic.
“I was fortunate enough to meet Nick back in 2017 as part of our talent and Colts program back then, he was a member of our premiership side in 2018 with the Colts, he comes from Trinity, he’s had a couple of brothers who have gone through the club,” Wardman told SEN WA’s The Run Home.
“For him, I suppose on the back of last year missing out after a stint with West Cost training for a month, to put together a really strong season and capitalise with a league premiership and get his two and a half month stint with Essendon and perform really strongly, it's a great credit to him to get an opportunity at AFL level and hopefully he makes the most of it.”
Martin failed to get picked up after training with the Eagles last pre-season in an effort to win a list spot via the pre-season supplemental selection period and has now journeyed east to ignite his AFL career.
However, with the Eagles missing Jack Darling and fellow tall Oscar Allen also likely to sit out early in the season, there’s no doubt they could have used Martin.
It’s why Wardman is optimistic his prospect could follow the likes of another overlooked West Australian to become an AFL star.
“I’m sure they (West Coast) probably would have liked to get him on board a little bit earlier than Essendon got him, having tracked what he did last year,” he added.
“I suppose it’s a similar sort of story to Tim Kelly, you miss out on another WA product and might pay the price in three or four years’ time, hopefully Nick can do that.
“I think he’s going to go well for them (Essendon), he’s got the speed, he’s got a really good vertical leap and strong hands with his marking ability.
“He’s worked hard with his transition running, I think he got exposed a little bit yesterday (Wednesday) on the wing.
“He’s going to be a really versatile player and I’m sure in that system as a full-time professional footballer we’re going to see the best out of him.”
Martin could push for an early-season debut given the Bomber’s relative lack of forward depth.
Peter Wright and Harrison Jones are the club’s only likely starters in the tall forward department, while Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti may also miss the start of the season with a calf injury.