after Lavs dropping early in the year. Martin is our new consecutive games leader. If it wasn’t for covid forced absence would be more.
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Wasn’t the covid absence after 1 game. So it would be 80 instead of 78. Damn you covid. 
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yes, but then wouldn’t have missed since debut, like walla until he had some personal
leave.
He is becoming a real handful in the middle. Having him rotate HF/Mid is such positive for us.
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I wonder how much impact having an extended run in the backline has helped in this? A running half back who also had to stop an opponent.
I’m starting to think I am too hard on first year players not cracking in. I just put myself in ADJ and Kako’s position where you are expected to tackle some bloody big men running full ball towards you, when you are still underdeveloped yourself. There are some kids that do it regardless, like Pickett at Melbourne, but these guys are rare.
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He is now our clear second best player and starting to give Merrett a nudge. The gap to third is large (and I love Duz).
He’ll be our next capitain.
Caldwell is also in that discussion. Sure he was a bit off after injury, but he is right there.
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There’s a steely resolve to Nic’s game this year. He is playing “angry”, leading by example, brilliance everywhere(!) a true on field leader.
If he maintains the rage, he’ll be All Australian this year. Someone in the media mentioned top 10 player in the league, so he’s getting the recognition. And only recently turned 24 too!
Keen to see what Nic does against a Geelong team he’s traditionally in the best players for Essendon.
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I think there’s probably even more to it than that. I watched a lot of Angus Clarke last year and he would recklessly attack in the air and on the ground. There was never a question that he would go. It looked like he pulled out of a couple of contests on the weekend, but I wonder if he simply just second guessed himself - came off his man to spoil, though that he might not get there and realised his man was running loose towards goal.
I reckon first year players can get torn between following their instincts and trying to play to their coaches instructions. It takes a couple of years for them to get the confidence to get that balance right.
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There was a few times last weekend where Martin just willed the ball from one end of the ground to the other staying involved the whole way to create scoring opportunities. Just massive gut busting efforts. He’s really starting to come into his own.
Would still like to see him improve his contested work a little. If he could take a leaf out of Durham’s book when it comes to attacking the ball he really would be the complete player.
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In 2026 with another preseason for Martin, Durham and Caldwell our midfield brigade should be much improved. That’s before we think about adding Reid to the mix and a fit Parish.
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I can’t believe EFC didn’t take Fejo, as Blitz demanded.
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I’d be pretty happy with him just taking a leaf on how to attack farkCarlton players like Duzz