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Brisbane’s resurgence is due in no small part to a former Melbourne big man who never looked like becoming a first-choice ruckman.
Stefan Martin gave occasional indications of his gifts while at the Demons but, often stuck behind number one ruckman Mark Jamar, failed to have a consistent impact on games.
However, a switch of clubs and the opportunity to be Brisbane’s key big man have drawn startling performances from the 27-year-old.
In fact, he has been so influential the past eight rounds that he is almost the best ruckman in the AFL right now.
How are these for numbers – 20 touches a game, 30 hit outs, 4.5 clearances, 4 tackles, and 3 inside 50s. Among the top 20 ruckmen for hit outs this year, not one can match his returns for possessions, clearances or inside 50s.
Martin has always been a sensational athlete for a 198cm, 104kg footballer. He is swift off the mark, possesses eye-catching agility and has terrific spring. He knows how to find space when his side has the ball and is prepared to run hard to earn it. As such he is well suited to modern football with its emphasis on a team’s ability to spread across the ground when in possession.
But his increased aggression in ruck contests has made him so much more influential this season.
At Melbourne, Martin never looked like he enjoyed playing in the ruck. While he clearly appreciated the freedom to roam far and wide, he didn’t revel in the physical side of the position.
Ruckmen typically leave the ground as battered messes after leaping into each other and wrestling manically over and over across the match. Big men at all levels of football quickly identify an opponent who has an aversion for this aspect of ruck play.
At centre bounces they charge at them harder and leap earlier to smash them with their knees. At stoppages they engage them in wrestles and impose their strength in an intimidating manner.
This ruck bullying can demoralise the less assertive ruckman and affect all areas of their game – Martin’s former teammate Jamar does this. He often lacks the athleticism of the opposing ruckman but he crashes into them relentlessly from the first bounce until eventually they wilt and he gains control.
While playing alongside Jamar, Martin never looked prepared or capable of being a force in ruck contests. That has changed this season as he’s showcased a liking for the bullocking work necessary to be an elite ruckman.
Last round, Martin had the chance to show his former side just how far he had developed in the role.
He was shaded, just, by Jamar in the ruck contests, but chopped him up around the ground, gathering 24 touches to be one of the best three players on the field.
It was a triumphant moment for Martin who, I would guess, was ragdolled at training by the brutish Jamar for many seasons.
Martin was drafted from Melbourne at the end of 2012 as a back-up for star ruckman Matt Leuenberger, who has battled with injury throughout his career.
Brisbane gave up two speculative picks – numbers 53 and 73 – to secure Martin. That is beginning to look like a recruiting coup.
If the Lions can get Leuenberger and Martin both fit next season, they will have the best ruck combination in the league.