Jack Martin | 2021 Season Review

Written by Ari Stamatakos

SEASON SYNOPSIS

After a pretty good debut season as a Blues in season 2020. Jack Martin had an interrupted pre-season and made his season debut against The Pies in round 2. Where his sporadic impact was felt in abundance. He kicked 3 goals and had a second-quarter blitz, kicking 2 goals from his 3 kicks, starting the comeback for The Blues. He missed another big portion of the year, only returning to the side in round 11. Unfortunately, he looked severely underfit, labouring around the pitch and not having that much impact. He improved later on in the year once he got his fitness up to scratch, where we saw, in glimpses, how good he can be. He ended the season playing 11 games, none being outstanding, which is an area of major improvement for Jack Martin in 2022 

BEST PERFORMANCE

Since returning to the side, Martin struggled with fitness and match-sharpness. Some, very rightly, accusing the match-selection committee of rushing him back and perhaps putting him at even more risk of re-injuring himself. He finally found form in round 18 against The Pies, and whilst not winning the match of his own boot, he provided a very handy spark when The Blues needed it the most. 

He had 18 touches, 11 marks, 5 tackles, 1 goal, 7 score involvements, 3 inside 50’s and 20 pressure acts. With 72% of his touches coming in the forward half of the ground, and attending only 3 centre bounces, this, perhaps is a clear indication of where Jack Martin is best. As that high half-forward, who can go either in the guts and impact or go one out in the goal square and be a menace. His 11 marks are perhaps the best indication of his best asset. He is incredibly strong not only through the hips and the core, but his shoulders make it very hard to chop the arms down or get a fist into spoil. 

OFF-SEASON & 2021 OUTLOOK

Is he a midfielder or a forward? That's the question that Jack Martin needs to answer in the off-season. He made a splash in his Carlton debut as a majority forward, he has never hit the heights which we saw then, but if he can get continuity back in his game, then we very well might. Another aspect that doesn't help with the continuity is his very bad injury record. He had an interrupted pre-season and got injured again in his first game back. These debilitating injuries have him lacking fitness regularly and the match sharpness which separates the good from the great. Where is he most damaging? I think it's in the forward line. As seen through his best performance of the year. He is fantastic overhead and is incredibly strong through the hips which makes him a nightmare to tackle, aswell as being pretty reliable in front of goal. 

His 0.9 goal assist this year ranks him elite for forwards and this adds that selfless part of his game, which can bring others into the game whilst also making him even harder to defend against. His 5.3 score involvements is also a testament to that. While we haven’t seen Jack Martin at his match-winning, contest exploding best, an uninterrupted pre-season and clarity on where he is best suited to the team, could bring that out of him. And if it does, then The Blues, from the glimpses we have seen, have a very good player on their books. 

2021 REPORT CARD RATING

C-

STATUS HEADING INTO 2022 

Consistent 22