Essendon’s Nic Martin says he never gave up on his AFL dream after remarkable five-goal debut

There was little to celebrate for Essendon in round 1 but a five-goal debut from a mature-age recruit was one of them

Recruit Nic Martin celebrates one of his five goals on debut for Essendon in round 1. Picture: Michael Klein

One of Nic Martin’s first calls after Essendon invited him to audition for an AFL spot was to Perth-based personal trainer Gerard Majda.

The Subiaco premiership forward was determined to capitalise on this latest opportunity after a quad injury contributed to West Coast overlooking him 12 months earlier.

Majda, whose business is called Body Majic, also transformed the physiques of two of the AFL’s best young ruckmen, Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson.

Covid-19-related border dramas meant Martin, who helped himself to 27 disposals and five goals in a stunning AFL debut on Saturday, couldn’t start training with the Bombers until January.

Debutant Nic Martin was a rare bright spot on an otherwise difficult day for Essendon. Picture: Getty Images

“I got the phone call (from Essendon) and I hired a personal trainer, so shout out to Body Majic,” Martin told News Corp.

“Everyone knows who he is in WA. I just got to work and the whole mentality was, ‘I’m not going to leave any stone unturned here’. If I didn’t get the list spot; it wasn’t because I didn’t work hard enough.”

The fact Martin thrived on a day when the Bombers were thrashed made his performance even more noteworthy to coach Ben Rutten, who highlighted post-match the work he did before arriving at Tullamarine.

“He was really impressive throughout his training. He hasn’t really missed a beat,” Rutten said.

“We were really pleased to be able to add him to our list. He’s a good finisher and he’s got really good game sense about where to run and where to receive the ball.”

Nic Martin produced a dazzling debut after having to wait for his AFL opportunity. Picture: Getty Images

That much was obvious as Martin lit up a match that, admittedly, was no longer a contest once he piled on four of his five goals from late in the third quarter.

The lopsided result means the 20-year-old will always look back on his first game as “bittersweet” but no less “special”.

Martin at least didn’t have to wait as long as fellow WAFL-to-AFL success stories Tim Kelly and Marlion Pickett and has reconciled with himself that there was a reason for his belated recruitment.

“I think it just falls back to a bit of maturity,” he said.

“Was I ready for the AFL system three years ago? I’m not too sure. But I’m here now and I couldn’t be more grateful that Essendon gave me that opportunity.

"THERE'S A NEW MARTIN IN TOWN!"

Nic Martin has FOUR on debut 👏

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“I’m not too sure how I would have gone if I was drafted at 18 but I like my journey.”

The message for others in Martin’s previous predicament is he never gave up despite his initial draft rejection then the disappointment at missing out with his hometown Eagles.

“The dream never left,” he said.

“I’ve always wanted to be an AFL footballer and even though I had a couple of setbacks along the way; I just kept grinding and I find myself here today.”

Originally published as Essendon’s Nic Martin says he never gave up on his AFL dream after remarkable five-goal debut