All over the club website and it’s material it’s shortened to Nic.
So you figured they asked him.
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$700
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Sorry, my bad.
Obviously, he kicked 5 haha.
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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.
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.
“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.”
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.”
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They were quick to give Ham an extension last year- can’t understand they took so long to sign him up and risk another club pouncing.
It’s remarkably coherent
I think they actually did this
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Been saying he reminds me so much of Blake Caracella. That was a performance the great man would’ve been proud of. He just has great smarts, awareness of what’s around him and is always in the right spot. So pleased for him and at least provided a crumb of joy in an otherwise bleak afternoon.
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How does that count?
I did kick a goal but if it wasn’t punched through from 25m…
It doesnt, but the margins are fine. Given he was heavily involved in everything positive we did and was by far our cleanest and most effective player i’m prepared to let a minor statistical point slide.
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Loved his game, but have two criteria I think he needs to improve in. He seems very one paced, he looks like he needs to develop a bit of a kick because that lack of a next level of pace could hurt defensively. Second, and tied to the first, tackling. He needs to get a bit more involved physically and that extra step of pace would certainly help.
The plusses though certainly outweigh the negatives however. Very neat kicking action. He doesn’t look like he extends his kicking, rather sitting in his comfort zone, but that means he hits the target more often than not, a definite plus. He is disciplined in not being drawn into the play. He doesn’t stand there and ball watch and doesn’t let himself get drawn into the play, but stays on the outside waiting to be an outlet or attacking option.
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Reality check: of all those 5+ goals on debut players, I think only John Coleman played in an EFC Premiership team.
Don’t get me wrong, I thought he was great. But I also get ■■■■■■ at any player who doesn’t lay a tackle in a beat down.
Ridley as well.
Other than that, and his haircut,
he looked so classy.
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He performed well in the practice games and even better in Round 1.
He looks like a “pure” footballer. A natural.
Truck says he has upside. 27 and 5 goals . Thats a fair baseline.
Those WCE fans sound just like us!
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Nice debut young man.
Oh… and if you’re listening Nic, I’m sorry.
Sorry that you’ll soon be Essingtoned.
Sorry that Essington’s development will squeeze your natural talents out and leave you as a shell of the player you should’ve been.
Sorry that Essington will turn 5.0 into 0.4 and 1 out of bounds on the full.
Sorry that you’ll soon be missing targets from 15m away and will sending the ball to your team-mates feet or over their heads.
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I’m also sorry, sorry that you have to put up with fans like ours.
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