After being limited to only two games in the first half of the season, promising Crow Brodie Martin knew he had to seize his opportunity when he was recalled to the side to play St Kilda on Friday night.

Martin impressed throughout the pre-season, but was denied the chance to establish himself in the team for round one when he strained his hamstring on the eve of the NAB Cup.

The quick and skilful ball carrier returned from injury via the SANFL, putting in several standout performances to demand selection against Hawthorn in round three. He held his place in the team the following week, but was squeezed out up for the clash with Port Adelaide in round five.

The 23-year-old former rookie went back to Sturt and continued to push his name in front of the Crows selectors, with consistent form.

He was named as an emergency every week for a month between rounds five and eight, but was forced to wait until after the bye to earn an AFL call-up.

Martin, who played predominantly as a wingman prior to this season, started at half-back on Friday night and looked immediately at home. He worked hard defensively against St Kilda’s dangerous small forwards and also created plenty of offensive drive, finishing with 21 possessions, four inside 50ms and three score assists.

“Prior to this week, I’d been playing well in the SANFL. I knew good SANFL form could translate into good AFL form, and that if I kept playing well for Sturt I’d get my chance,” Martin told afc.com.au after the game.

“I got a chance this week, and knew I had to take it. I was pretty happy with how I went tonight.”

Coach Brenton Sanderson was also pleased with the form of Martin, who rediscovered consistency in his football late last year after having a knee reconstruction towards the end of 2009.

“Brodie looked good with the footy in his hands and was safe in defence,” Sanderson said.

“He’d been playing very well at SANFL level, and it’s good to be able to bring an SANFL player in and have confidence that he’s going to play well. Brodie would’ve been getting a game in almost any other AFL team and he came in tonight and looked in control.”

“He used the ball well and set up a few goals early in the game. He’s a good decision maker and I was more than happy with his game tonight.”

An inexperienced player with only 12 AFL games to his name, Martin was one of several young Crows holding down defensive posts on Friday night. Athletic tall Sam Shaw collected 14 possessions and seven marks playing largely as a loose man, while Daniel Talia continued to display maturity beyond his 20 games of experience, limiting Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt to two goals from only nine disposals.

Sanderson was rapt with Talia’s performance on Riewoldt, who kicked seven majors against Gold Coast last weekend.

“It’s hard to believe this kid (Talia) has hardly played any footy for us,” Sanderson said.

“He’s very mature and took another scalp tonight. You might say Nick Riewoldt was carrying and injury, and I think he was, but week-in and week-out we can go to him (Talia). We’ve got confidence in a young player to play a big role for us.”

Friday night’s match was an unusually high-scoring affair, with a total of 33 goals kicked for the game. In his post-match press conference, Sanderson lamented his team’s defensive lapses and costly turnovers, which resulted in scores to St Kilda.

Martin said the Crows would need to tighten up several areas of their game ahead of next week’s clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

“It’s a big focus for us to push up and keep the ball in our half, so opposition teams are occasionally going to get over the back of our defence and kick a goal or two,” he said.

“But there were a few too many tonight and that’s something we’ll address this week.”

Adelaide’s narrow four-point win over the Saints was a fitting celebration for midfielder Richard Douglas in his 100^th game.

“Dougy is a champion bloke,” Martin said.

“‘Sando’ said pre-match that Dougy is the type of bloke he wish he’d played footy with. For all of us to play with Dougy, it’s a big thrill. He’s a real good teammate and someone you’re happy to go to war with.”