http://www.cairnspost.com.au/sport/local-sport/gold-coast-suns-star-jack-martin-continues-injury-rehab-ahead-of-cairns-afl-game-against-bulldogs/story-fnjpuwsz-1226942479972
He grew up 4000km away, but Gold Coast young gun Jack Martin's roadtrip to AFL will resonate loudly in the next generation of Cairns talent.
At just 19, the Suns midfielder has already been touted by former AFL premiership winner Chris Johnson as potentially the best indigenous player to lace up a boot.
Martin delivered just a taste of his sublime talent on debut in round 1 before suffering a shoulder injury which sidelined him for the past two-and-a-half months.
With just three weeks left in his rehab, Broome-born Martin was in Cairns yesterday to promote the Suns' July 12 clash with the Western Bulldogs.
But his journey to Cazalys started years ago, when the scrawny and shy West Aussie backed himself and bravely chased his AFL dream miles away from his family.
After switching to Geraldton for school, Martin moved to Perth at 16 for a taste of senior footy before Gold Coast came calling 2012.
It's a confronting move many talented athletes in the Far North face, but one which Martin knew he had to do. "It was hard when I first left home but I knew I had to do it if I wanted to go to the next level," he said. "I made that move when I was young and it was pretty scary and daunting. It was tough leaving family and friends behind but here wasn't much in Broome after juniors."
"I had a lot of mates back home that were starting to go out and I might have got caught up in that.
"But it's worked out for the best now. It's made me the person I am now."
"My parents played a big part in that and I got a lot of support."
"There is a lot of talent up north and if you're willing to make the move, which is the biggest struggle for a lot of people, it can pay off."
As a laid-back country kid, Martin is relishing Cairns.
With the Suns now starting to deliver on their untapped but obvious potential, he is expected to be a key cog in the club's chase of a maiden finals appearance in 2014.
"It was unfortunate that I got injured in round 1 but that takes the weight off my shoulders now," he said.
"It was frustrating at the time but it's gone quickly.
"I've played my first game now and I can go out there free-minded."
Article and photos courtesy of Cairns Post
Last Modified on 06/11/2014 14:37