AFL Yarra Ranges: Mount Evelyn stalwart Steve Martin celebrates his 300th-game

Mount Evelyn stalwart Steve Martin has reflected on his decorated career with the club after reaching the 300-game milestone on Saturday.

TO SAY Mount Evelyn Football Club flows through Steve Martin’s veins is to say there’s a bit of mud about on footy grounds in the Yarra Ranges come a wet winter’s day.

On Saturday, Martin ran out for his 300th senior game.

A one-club player who made his senior debut as a 16-year-old back in the club’s final season in the Eastern Football League, he’s rarely if ever entertained any ideas of trying his hand with a different jumper on.

In an era when players change clubs and leagues as often as midfielders overusing the handball, Martin’s devotion to his club is refreshing.

Indeed his family’s DNA runs through the Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve itself.

“We’ve got a long family history there, I’m the fourth generation to get life membership,” he said. “It’s a bit of a culture down there.”

Steve Martin is a legend of Mount Evelyn. Picture: James Ross.

His great grandmother was a life member, so too his grandparents, his father and an uncle or three.

The ground itself is named after an uncle while the bar bears his grandfather’s name.

The chances of him ever playing anywhere else were always pretty slim.

“I did get close at one point,” Martin said. “But the goal has always been to win a flag and I always had all my mates there and all my family there.”

Martin said his family has always lived and breathed Mount Evelyn Football Club and it’s generally the main topic of discussion at family get-togethers, even Christmas dinner.

“My brother went to Mooroolbark for a while, he got excommunicated from the family,” Martin laughed.

Steve Martin runs through the banner ahead of his milestone match.

“But he came back eventually.”

Just the sixth player to reach the triple century at the club, a five-year senior captain and as highly-regarded as anyone at Mount Evelyn, just one honour has slipped his grasp.

“I’ve never played in a flag (winning side),” he said sadly. “I’ve got close a few times. I coached the under-19s to a grand final and they just missed and I’ve played in three losing preliminary final sides.

Steve Martin enters the field with family ahead of his 3000th game. Picture: James Ross.

“We’ve always had a team full of local players who’ve had a crack. You just need that extra bit of luck (to win a premiership).

“But, if you can’t win a flag then the next best thing is to play with your brother and play with your mates.”

Mind you, at just 33, he’s still got a few seasons left in the legs and hasn’t ruled out raising the elusive silverware before Father Time eventually has his way.

“I’ll keep going,” he said. “The knees are slowing me up a bit, but then I never had much pace anyway.”

And, Martin’s bloodline is likely to continue at the club for at least another decade or so.

“I’ve got two boys and two girls, so we’ll see how that pans out,” he said.

“I’ve coached the Auskick for a year and I get as much satisfaction out of it as I do playing.”