A passion for football has brought Crows AFLW midfielder Hannah Martin closer to her two siblings, Jerome and Rachelle

Footy is a family affair for Crows AFLW midfielder Hannah Martin, older brother Jerome and younger sister Rachelle. The trio is forging their own paths in the sport.

The Martin siblings – West Adelaide runner Jerome, Adelaide Crows AFLW player Hannah and Bloods SANFLW player Rachelle. Picture: AAP/Sam Wundke

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JEROME Martin reckons he can take a little bit of credit for his two younger sisters, Hannah and Rachelle, being tough competitors on the football field.

The Martin siblings would play backyard football together while growing up on cattle-turned-cropping farm on the Yorke Peninsula.

Jerome, being the older brother, enjoyed the backyard duels with his younger sisters.

“I’m probably the one responsible for roughing them up a bit,” Jerome, 24, says.

“I treated them like brothers growing up, so I enjoy seeing them get pushed around a bit.

“I used to drag them out and have a kick with the footy.

“I had a pretty high standard so I had to make sure they could kick properly.”

Hannah Martin in action for the Crows during their round two clash with Melbourne at Ikon Park. Picture: AAP/Hamish Blair

The Martins are leaning on each other for support as they forge their own path in the sport.

Hannah, 22, was drafted from SANFLW side West Adelaide to the Crows for this AFLW season.

Rachelle, 20, had started her third season with the Bloods before injuring her medial collateral ligament and Jerome, of Parafield Gardens, took up the role as West’s women’s runner this season.

He hopes to use this role as a stepping stone for coaching.

“I always used to give them (Hannah and Rachelle) feedback as a spectator,” he says.

“I think both of them seem to respond to my feedback pretty well.

Rachelle lives with Hannah at Walkerville and is relying on her siblings heavily for support since injuring her left knee in the Bloods’ round one clash against Central District.

Rachelle Martin, pictured two years ago after winning the Dutscke Medal for the Adelaide Footy League women's competition division one best and fairest. Picture: AAP/Dean Martin

Doctors are saying she might be on the sidelines for the next six to 10 weeks.

“I don’t need surgery, which is good, but I’m just trying not to lose muscle in my leg,” Rachelle says.

“It is frustrating, but hopefully I’ll be back before the season ends (in May).

“Hannah has been a big help especially because she’s been through injuries, too.

“Also Jerome has been good with reassuring me it’s not the end of the world. They’ve both been great support, knowing that it’s been pretty hard for me to go through.”

Hannah made her debut with the Crows in round one and only missed Adelaide’s round three clash with Geelong because of a lower leg injury.

“Jerome has always been interested in the coaching side of things and since Rachelle and I started playing, he has analysed our games and really helped us,” Hannah says.

“Footy has brought us closer together and it’s been awesome being able to ride the highs and lows with them.”