‘Utter freak’: Essendon rookie Nic Martin stars in ‘absurd’ AFL debut

Essendon was demolished by Geelong on Saturday afternoon but a rookie’s senational debut gave fans something to smile about.

MELBOURNE. 19/03/2022. AFL. Round 1. Geelong vs Essendon at the MCG . Nic Martin of the Bombers celebrates a 2nd qtr goal . Photo by Michael Klein

Essendon may have been absolutely demolished in their Round 1 clash with Geelong but at least they had something to cheer about thanks to rookie Nic Martin.

The Bombers were never in the hunt as the Cats raced out to a 34-point quarter time lead and never looked back, running away with the game to claim a 20.18 (138) to 11.6 (72) victory.

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But Essendon’s one shining light was Martin, who kicked five goals and collected 27 disposals in a sensational AFL debut.

The West Australian only joined the Bombers in January but he looked right at home on the MCG, constantly bobbing up for goals throughout the game.

The Bombers’ losing margin would have been worse than 66 points if it wasn’t for Martin’s haul of five goals, the most by an Essendon debutant since Scott Cummings kicked eight back in 1994.

“There’s a new Martin in town … This is extraordinary,” commentator Anthony Hudson exclaimed on Fox Footy.

Nic Martin kicked five goals for Essendon on debut. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

“An extraordinary day to make your debut. He was not even an AFL player in December and by March he’s kicked five goals at the MCG.”

St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt said: “He’s kicked more goals than I had touches (on debut)!”

Brad Johnson added: “It shows a lot about his character too in a team that’s getting beaten heavily, that he just keeps going.”

Fans couldn’t get enough of Martin’s incredible effort on debut.

Sports editor Russell Bennett tweeted: “The top of an extremely small list of positives for Essendon today … the play of Nic Martin and one of the more absurd stat lines of any AFL player making his debut.”

Sports journalist Jordan McArdle said: “Pretty special AFL debut in a big Essendon loss for Subiaco product Nic Martin. Had never kicked more than 4 goals or had over 21 touches during 25-game senior WAFL career. Comes out and boots 5 from 27 disposals.”

Nic Martin was a shining light for the Bombers in a shocking loss. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Unreal. Nic Martin with 5 on debut for the Bombers.

Kicked 24 goals for Subi in the WAFL last year but couldn't jag a spot on the Eagles list after training with them pre and mid season in '21.

— Steve Allen (@ScubaStv) March 19, 2022

Nic Martin is going to be a utter freak.

Essendon are still an embarrassment.

— Rory Flanagan (@Rory_Flanagan) March 19, 2022

Nic Martin is going to be a star 👑#AFLCatsDons

— Basil Zoccali (@BasilZoccali) March 19, 2022

Essendon coach Ben Rutten was ecstatic with Martin’s performance on a disappointing day for the Bombers.

“He was fantastic,” he said.

“He’s still got a lot of improvement in him, but his strengths of being able to finish and his running ability was fantastic. It was a shining light for us throughout the day.”

Originally published as ‘Utter freak’: Essendon rookie Nic Martin stars in ‘absurd’ AFL debut