Geelong eager to beat Fremantle to Jack Martin and help turn his injury troubles around

A number of Carlton players were struck down with injury this year, including Jack Martin. This is how Geelong plans to make the delisted forward its latest rags to riches tale.

Geelong wants to help former Carlton forward Jack Martin overcome his injury problems with significant changes to his training program next year.

The Cats are in a two-way fight with Fremantle to secure the talented goal kicker who, at 29 years of age, believes he has several good years left at the top level.

The Dockers were considered the frontrunners for Martin’s signature one month ago but the Cats have shown strong interest late in the year.

Martin was restricted to only three matches at Carlton this year amid repeated calf and hamstring setbacks as part of one of the most frustrating seasons of his career.

Jack Martin. Picture: Mark Stewart

But the 186cm goal kicker is determined to return to full fitness with tweaks to his approach under a new and individualized strength and conditioning program.

Under rehabilitation guru Steve Saunders, the Cats have an excellent record of helping their players overcome injury problems including superstar forward Jeremy Cameron who dealt with groin issues in his final year at GWS Giants.

Martin would replace veteran Geelong forward Gary Rohan inside the Cats forward 50m after the club delisted Rohan on Tuesday.

While Martin is yet to make a decision on his new home, he is open to staying in Victoria with his family amid strong interest from Fremantle in his hometown state of Western Australia.

It has given Martin, who is currently holidaying in Queensland, some strong options to consider as both clubs will aim to finish top-four next season.

Fremantle is also eyeing Richmond’s Shai Bolton and Liam Baker, while the Cats are set to bolster their midfield nabbing Western Bulldogs’ line breaker Bailey Smith.

The Blues let Martin go in good faith. Picture: Michael Klein.

Carlton could have held on to Martin in an attempt to demand a trade from his new club.

But the Blues agreed to delist Martin in good faith in discussions with his manager, Jason Dover, to help speed up the process for both parties.

As a delisted free agent, Martin can be secured by his new club for nothing.

The Blues are determined to sharply improve their injury rates in 2015 under new fitness boss Rob Inness after poaching him from Sydney Swans to replace Andrew Russell.

Martin’s departure helps the Blues clear cap space for Port Adelaide gun half back Dan Houston and a whopping six-year extension for superstar key defender Jacob Weitering.

Hard nut midfielder Matthew Kennedy is also assessing his options.

Originally published as Geelong eager to beat Fremantle to Jack Martin and help turn his injury troubles around