Martin has played 16 AFL games, including seven this season. His last full game was an impressive three-goal display in the Balfours Showdown win over Port Adelaide in Round 15. The 23-year-old injured his hamstring the following week, but made a successful return with Sturt last Saturday.
Martin joins a long list of players to commit to the Club this season, including Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane, Taylor Walker, Jared Petrenko, Richard Douglas, Brodie Smith, Sam Shaw, Matt Jaensch and Jarryd Lyons. Martin said his decision to remain a Crow was straight forward.
“It’s hard to go past the list we’ve got at the moment, and the success we’ve had this year. And Adelaide’s home for me, so it was a no-brainer for me to stay,” Martin told the RAA Crows News Update.
“We’re a young group and all get along really well. ‘Sando’ coming in this year also brings that young vibe. He understands the players real well and, together, we’re trying to strive towards the same goal."
Crows football operations general manager Phil Harper said Martin was an important part of the Club's future.
“Brodie has played some outstanding football in the SANFL and also show some good signs at AFL level," he said.
“We think he can develop into an excellent player for us and we are pleased he wants to be part of our playing group for at least the next couple of years.”
Originally selected with pick No.52 in the 2008 Rookie Draft, Martin made an impressive debut against St Kilda in Round 16, 2009. However, disaster struck the next week when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. He had a full reconstruction, but showed enough in two games late in 2010 to earn a contract extension.
Martin assumed former skipper Simon Goodwin’s No.36 guernsey in 2011, but after a pre-season injury scare battled for consistency in his first full season back from serious injury. He rediscovered from late in the year, and was earmarked for a role across half-back after a strong pre-season under new coach Brenton Sanderson.
A hamstring injury in the NAB Cup kept him out of the Crows team in round one, but he played seven games between rounds three and 16. His run of five straight games prior to straining his hamstring against Port was the most he’s played in succession at AFL level.
Martin said he was determined to cement a spot in the Adelaide side after a long and often difficult apprenticeship.
“It was a bit of a goal this year to string a few games together. I thought I was on the right track, but unfortunately got the hamstring injury (in round 16),” he said.
“I got back out for Sturt on the weekend and put in a reasonable performance. I’m happy with where it’s at and, hopefully, I can put my hand up for (AFL) finals selection.
“If there’s an upside (to the injury), it’s that I’ve still got time to get back into the team. To get a few more games at the end of the year would be nice, and then I can build into a good pre-season.”
A fast and neat-kicking ball carrier, Martin has played a variety of roles in his short career. He says he’s happy to play wherever the team needs him.
“I like the wing and half-back role the best, but the occasional stint up forward isn’t too bad either,” he said.
“I’ll just be happy to get out there somewhere.”
