Stefan Martin might not yet be a household name, but his potential value to the Brisbane Lions in 2013 and beyond cannot be understated.
Martin presents the type of versatile ruckman/forward option that the Club was forced to improvise with last season.

With first choice ruckman Matthew Leuenberger sidelined and first round draft choice Billy Longer developing his trade with the Reserves side, the support ruck/forward role was thrust upon the likes of Daniel Merrett and Jordan Lisle.

It therefore came as no surprise that the Lions identified the former Melbourne big man as a tantalising prospect during the trade period.
Martin, meanwhile, was seeking greater senior opportunities and saw a promising AFL future with the Lions.

“My manager talked to a few clubs and there were a few that were interested, but at the end of the day Brisbane seemed like a really good fit - both for my chances at playing and also with the group and culture they have up there,” Martin told SEN radio in Melbourne.

“They wouldn’t have wanted to make a trade unless they saw me in their best 22.”

“I asked (Michael Voss) if he could see a definite role for me, and he said he does in that forward/ruck position.”

After a breakthrough season in 2011 when he finished 8th in Melbourne’s Best and Fairest award, Martin’s 2012 campaign was severely limited due to injury.

But the late bloomer is determined to reclaim the form that saw him emerge as one of the more promising key position players in the competition.

“2011 was far from an amazing season, but it was definitely a step in the right direction,” Martin said.

“I really felt that after that season, and with 50 games under my belt, that I was ready to become a really good AFL player.”

“Hopefully I can continue that at Brisbane now.”