#37 - Nic Martin - all of the injury extension

Concur.

Hope we don’t waste our time with Setterfield.

Just go up to the NT and offer a kid a spot

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Do WC, North and Richmond all still have SSP spots?

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Its a great opportunity to explore and take a risk on a player who could be the future then a player that is a stop gap.

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What does proper cooked look like?

Kantilla isn’t an a AFL player.

In the NTFL no one chases and no one defends.

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I did an ai review on Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves…lol

Could he be the SSP we get?

Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves was a highly-rated prospect with “top 10 talent” at his best, but a season heavily impacted by injuries, lack of consistency, and limited exposure at higher levels led to clubs viewing him as a risk and passing him over in the National and Rookie Drafts.

Key factors contributing to him being unselected include:

  • Injury Concerns: His 2025 season was plagued by repeated setbacks, including a grade two AC joint shoulder injury that put him out for six weeks, a concussion, leg cork, and ongoing calf issues requiring injections. These problems severely impacted his continuity and durability throughout the year.

  • Lack of Consistency/Exposed Form: The stop-start nature of his season meant he struggled to build a consistent body of work for recruiters to evaluate. While he had “match-winning” performances for Vic Country and Dandenong, clubs didn’t have enough of a sample size to be confident in his ability to perform consistently at the AFL level.

  • Limited Testing Data: He missed the National Draft Combine and preseason testing over two years, meaning clubs had to rely largely on the “eye test” for his athletic profile rather than hard data. This made him a “crystal ball selection”.

  • Positional and Game Style Concerns: Some external commentary suggested he has a low contested possession rate, is poor at ground level, and doesn’t fit a specific position clearly (forward/winger/midfielder), which may have created doubt for clubs looking to fill specific roles.

  • Missed Opportunities: The injuries also prevented him from playing in two AFL Academy games and several VFL matches, which are crucial opportunities to perform against higher-quality opposition and gain vital experience.

Despite these issues, his natural talent, X-factor, and ability to kick crucial goals in big moments mean many draft experts were surprised he was overlooked and expect him to be given a chance through the Supplementary Selection Period (SSP) or by a VFL club.

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NHH come on down

Maybe he is, maybe he isn’t but we are more than happy to give plenty of other plodders a go over the years with what essentially is a free hit.

Go up to the Tiwi’s and run a 2-3 week training camp for the guys and invite a dozen or so indigenous lads along with the promise that one of them gets a spot

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He’s also played plenty of SANFL & WAFL

I think you’re underplaying some of the issues with remote indigenous talent.

And this is from someone who coached in the NT, and has coached an indigenous kid who has now played AFL.

You don’t just go up north and run a 2-3 week training camp.

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Is the AI learning? I’m afraid.

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I think we’re only allowed 2 invite 2 blokes to train per open SSP slot

Having suffered a serious leg injury myself and being in the midst of a long rehab for it currently, this is devastating news clearly for Martin, but also mentally no doubt is going to be extremely difficult for him. Feel terrible for him.

Martin was definitely aiming on returning well before the bye.

He was progressing well before the re-injury. This is shattering.

IMO saying he is only missing 6-7 extra games is wrong. It’s closer to 15 based on his recovery schedule.

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Hobbs!!

Re listing Setters would be such an Essendon move, nice and safe and there to take midfield minutes away from younger players

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25 when Martin returns to training, 26 in April ‘27. The pro will come back ready to explode. These are his prime years don’t forget

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Nice to have you back, Nino. Now behave this time, you fkn maniac

I hope some one smashes the kent Mansell into the fence and gets him injured at Dreamtime.

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