An inclusion in the team to play Hawthorn, Brodie Martin says he hopes to establish himself in defence after a frustrating return from injury last year.

Martin required a full-knee reconstruction after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in only his second game for the Club against Port Adelaide in round 19, 2009.

The former rookie made a comeback in the corresponding round the next season and approached the 2011 pre-season full of promise after starring in Adelaide’s final game of 2010.

However, a minor knee scare cost him a place in the team in round one last season and he struggled to regain the form he displayed in his previous four AFL games, managing only five appearances -including four in the first five rounds - for the year.

Martin said the serious knee injury may have had impacted him more than he realised in 2011.

“At the time, I thought everything was fine but looking back on it now, I didn’t really do as well as I would’ve liked to last season,” Martin told afc.com.au.

“I didn’t think it was affecting me, but it probably was one way or another. I think it was more mental (than physical) … I don’t know. I brushed it aside at the time, but in hindsight there were probably a few things I could’ve done better.”

Martin returned to form in the latter-half of last season.

The dashing wingman put together several strong performances for Sturt and was recalled to the Crows team to play Richmond in round 23.

“I got that confidence back after a few quiet games,” he said.

“Finishing the year on a high note makes you even more determined to come back in good nick and have a crack over the summer.”

With the exception of a minor hamstring strain which kept him out of Adelaide’s opening round of NAB Cup matches against Carlton and Port Adelaide, Martin enjoyed an uninterrupted summer and is preparing for a new role under Brenton Sanderson and first-year defensive coach Darren Milburn.

“I’ve done all my training across half-back this pre-season,” Martin said.

“I’m more naturally a wingman, so the more time I can spend in defence the better it’ll be for me. I’d like to try to put my hand up as a defender/wingman and show ‘Sando’ what I can do.”