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.
Justin
Guest
just thought it was odd not to mention him since he's the ruck coach. i guess i'm saying that the architect usually gets a mention.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Charman was a real warrior of a ruckman, exactly the type of intimidating big man I referred to in the article.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Brisbane have a great midfield in my opinion Brian, it is their bookends which leave them exposed. Rich, Rockliff, Redden and Hanley is a terrific midfield unit with a great blend of pace, penetrative kicking and defensive work rate.
Justin
Guest
Good article - but i reckon a fair bit of the credit should go to ruck coach Jamie Charman.. his finger prints are all over the new Martin.
Don Freo
Guest
Brownlow votes will be interesting. I think he will win it. Sandi is in the top 3 every time he has hit the park this year in all their winning games. That's 14 with 4 to come. Probably over 30 votes. Non-Freo fans very rarely see his ground work and lightning hands. The see the tap and think he is one dimensional. They see his size and wonder why he is not taking Gary Dempsey marks. Look at his positioning. He is always where the ball is and he doesn't have to mark and kick. His pack work in the air and on the ground to feed the comp's best midfield and to clear passages or to block opponents is so savvy. We'll see.
TomC
Roar Guru
By the length of the straight, Don. I didn't see the Crows-Suns game. Apparently he had a down game then, but apart from that he's had an impact every time he's stopped on the park. And on most occasions he has effectively been an extra midfielder, working through the centre of the ground to set up his teammates and drive them forward. If I had to pick someone to line up in a ruck contest, it'd be Sandilands. On every other aspect of being a ruckman I'd have Jacobs in his 2014 form.
Don Freo
Guest
You'd have Jacobs against Sandilands? A big consistency difference.
Don Freo
Guest
I do like the idea of going back home and trying again. Would become a folk hero. But do get real...he has played 1/3rd of a season. People get puffed. Look at Lobbe.
Don Freo
Guest
Conversation about Leuenberger as an East Perth junior was potential key forward or ruck. Very Kreuzer like. WC might make a three way play with Lycett to SA, someone from SA to Qld and Leuie back home. West coast have only 3 tradeable commodities...Gaff (who won't get much), Lycett and Mitch Brown (who should unite with his brother and both transfer to the Saints.) Back to Stephan...
Moose
Guest
He's played 8 games this year - surely any tag of 'elite' requires some form of longevity - certainly more than 8 good games!
TomC
Roar Guru
They won't get enough for Martin to make a difference.
Steele
Guest
As a Demon supporter, I was shattered to see him go as he always performed when Jamar was out and he was the number one banana! This is happening again at Brisbane. He was poorly handled at Melbourne. He's a very smart guy too and was apparently a very handy basketballer. I can't help but think if Roos was coach back then, he wouldn't of let him go. He struggles when playing the Forward/Ruck role, so it will be interesting to see what happens next year.
Brian
Guest
It is a gamble if you trade and Leunberger gets injured but Martin aside what can Brisbane afford to give to get good players in. Yes its a risk but why wouldn't you try and play finals next year with the extra midfielder or big forward you could get for Martin. Guys like Martin or Ryan Griffen at the Bulldogs are too often put on an untouchables list which means the rebuilding club is unable to bring quality in. I can only talk of the club I know really well which is Hawthorn and what Clarkson has always done well is plan. When he cam in he gave up Hay & Thompson to get draft picks. He's made some terrible blunders Kennedy, McGlynn not bidding for Jolly who could have won us a flag in 2011, drafting Muston and Thorpe (who?) with high picks. However at least he's always tried to make the team better. Brisbane's midfield won't improve to match the top teams in the next 5 years without taking some chances
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
I think Zac Clarke may yet become a dominant player once Sandilands retires. He has all the tools but has never had a long run as first choice, with Jonathan Griffin popping up last year when Sandi was out.
Cameron Rose
Expert
I actually think the depth in ruckmen is pretty good at the moment. Similar to Aransan's point on Essendon, Carlton have had a problem when playing Kruezer and Warnock together, rather than just sticking with Kruezer as the more mobile option. They had Jacobs as third behind those two, and now look at him at Adelaide. To go with Ronan's comments, Zac Clarke would probably also improve heaps as a solo ruck. Geelong have a few that they've tried with varying degrees of success. For a lot of these guys, it's about getting the right break at the right time. Martin's got his chance and has made the most of it. I'm fascinated to see how it plays out.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Yep since Martin's come in they've gone 4-4 after their woeful start to the season. There are many factors involved in that resurgence but he is a significant one. That is an interesting idea TomC...Martin moves so well that he could occasionally pinch hit off a wing and create a mismatch.
TomC
Roar Guru
It's been quite a season for Martin. I think Brisbane's record is something like 2-8 without him, 4-4 with him. And they've generally been pretty competitive in those four losses (Freo excluded). He is noticably bigger around the shoulders, which is probably part of why he plays with more aggression. Big test this week for Martin, against quite clearly this year's AA ruckman in Sam Jacobs. Jacobs is also very influential around the ground, but he's giving away quite a bit of toe. As Cam says above, right now it looks like playing Martin as the number one ruckman is a better option for the Lions than bringing in Leuenberger. It's tricky, though. Leuenberger is highly damaging at stoppages, particularly in the forward 50. Not playing him as a number one ruckman takes away a big weapon. Leppitsch might want to consider playing Martin as a tall winger when he's not in the ruck. He hasn't shown much as a forward, but he seems to do his best work around the half back flank. But what odds he'll remain at the Lions? They brought in Trent West over the top of him in the last off-season. When Martin was the only fit ruckman left on the list the coach even speculated publicly about bringing in a rookie. I doubt he's felt much love in the past twelve months. He's out of contract this year and if another club came along with an offer I'm sure he'd listen very closely.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Spot on Cam, being offered the frontline ruck role tends to bring the best out in big men. When Sandilands went down at Freo last year, Griffin (who I never rated that highly) was a revelation and Freo marched on. But Brian you are off the mark suggesting Martin be traded. Leuenberger has a shocking history with injuries so Martin is invaluable.
Aransan
Guest
I agree with you Cameron, I would keep Martin. I believe Essendon have a similar problem with Ryder (196cm) and Bellchambers (202cm) who both play best as solo ruckmen but Ryder is the superior mobile possession winner. Bellchambers has suffered from injuries this year but would be better suited as the number 1 ruckman at another club. In the modern game players over 200cm tend to be over-rated unless they are mobile athletes. Leuenberger is 203cm tall.
Brian
Guest
I agree which is why Brisbane should look to trade Martin. That may sound harsh but Leunberger if fit is in the best 3-4 ruckman in the league so rather than stall Martin they should use the only valuable and spare commodity they have.